Understanding Opera

Deeper than deep, the bass singer goes as low as the human voice can go. Editor Rebecca Armstrong delves into this rumbling, rich sound.

The most recognisable of males voices, heard in many pop and rock bands, find out more about the hero role: the tenor.

One of the rarest voice types, a true contralto is a joy to hear. Editor Rebecca Armstrong explains this deep and delightful female voice.

The most common male voice type, some of the most iconic vocalists are baritones. This voice category is often incredibly distinct and powerful.

One of the most versatile of voice types, the mezzo sits in the mid-range for female voice types. Find out more about the voice known for ‘witches, bitches and britches’.

The rarest of voice types, this is the highest adult male singing voice, with a vocal range above that of a tenor and similar in pitch to female contralto or mezzo-soprano voices.

There are a lot of technical terms in opera, and one of these is Fach. So what is this German system of voice classification?

Voice type is important in opera, dictating which roles a singer will play, as well as telling the audience something about the character. But what do the different types mean?

What do musicians mean when they talk about the musical score? This written form of a composition is essential to any performance.

Deeper than deep, the bass singer goes as low as the human voice can go. Editor Rebecca Armstrong delves into this rumbling, rich sound.

The most recognisable of males voices, heard in many pop and rock bands, find out more about the hero role: the tenor.

One of the rarest voice types, a true contralto is a joy to hear. Editor Rebecca Armstrong explains this deep and delightful female voice.

The most common male voice type, some of the most iconic vocalists are baritones. This voice category is often incredibly distinct and powerful.

One of the most versatile of voice types, the mezzo sits in the mid-range for female voice types. Find out more about the voice known for ‘witches, bitches and britches’.

The rarest of voice types, this is the highest adult male singing voice, with a vocal range above that of a tenor and similar in pitch to female contralto or mezzo-soprano voices.

There are a lot of technical terms in opera, and one of these is Fach. So what is this German system of voice classification?

Voice type is important in opera, dictating which roles a singer will play, as well as telling the audience something about the character. But what do the different types mean?

What do musicians mean when they talk about the musical score? This written form of a composition is essential to any performance.