coloratura

views updated Jun 27 2018

col·o·ra·tu·ra / ˌkələrəˈtoŏrə; ˌkäl-/ • n. elaborate ornamentation of a vocal melody, esp. in operatic singing by a soprano. ∎  (also coloratura soprano) a soprano skilled in such singing.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

coloratura

views updated May 18 2018

coloratura. Word derived from the Ger. Koloratur. The elaborate and agile ornamentation of a melody, either extemporized or written, with runs, cadenzas, trills, roulades, and the like. Hence a coloratura soprano is one whose v. is flexible enough to cope with these demands.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

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