The Italian composer, Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (Gaetano Donizetti), born November 29, 1797, was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style during the first half of the nineteenth century, along Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini. It is thought that Donizetti’s close association with the bel canto style influenced other composers such as Giuseppe Verdi. At the… Read More
Voice Classification
Selected texts by Joseph Haydn, hand-curated by voice type
Joseph Haydn, born March 31, 1732, was an Austrian composer. Haydn had involvement in the development of chamber music and is sometimes known as the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet.” Haydn was a court musician for a good portion of his career, which largely isolated him from other composers and… Read More
Selected texts by Jacques Offenbach, hand-curated by voice type
We’re celebrating Jacques Offenbach’s birthday this month. Offenbach was born June 20, 1819. Here, categorized by voice type / Fach, are some hand-selected texts from our database, along with recommended recordings. MEZZO-SOPRANO La belle Hélène: Amours divins! Ardentes flammes! IPA Source: https://www.ipasource.com/catalog/product/view/id/12562/category/922/ La Périchole: Ah! quel dîner Ô mon cher amant IPA Source: https://www.ipasource.com/catalog/product/view/id/892/category/922/ … Read More
Selected texts by Charles Gounod, hand-curated by voice type
We’re celebrating the birthday of Charles Gounod this month. Gounod was born June 17, 1818. Here, categorized by voice type / Fach, are some hand-selected texts from our database, along with recommended recordings. ARIAS Soprano Faust: Il était un roi de Thulé IPA Source: https://www.ipasource.com/catalog/product/view/id/254/category/557/ Recording: Maria Callas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=288u-gTn7kk Mireille: Heureux petit berger IPA Source:… Read More
Selected texts by Richard Strauss, hand-curated by voice type
We’re celebrating Richard Strauss’s birthday this month. Strauss was born June 11, 1864. Here, categorized by voice type / Fach, are some hand-selected texts from our database, along with recommended recordings. SOPRANO Dramatic soprano Ariadne auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich IPA Source: https://www.ipasource.com/catalog/product/view/id/1054/category/1234/ Recording: Jessye Norman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H9LTixHHug Lyric Coloratura soprano Ariadne auf… Read More
THE FACH SYSTEM: The bass voice
With the possible exception of the Baßbuffo, there is no such thing as a lyric or dramatic classification for the bass voice. The true Italian buffo, the German Spielbaß, has a somewhat lighter voice than the other basses but still must produce a considerable amount of sound as he sings the lowest voice in ensembles… Read More
THE FACH SYSTEM: The baritone voice
Singers of the baritone Fach are divided into four categories with characters ranging from the light and agile friend and companion to kings and gods. The sheer versatility of the baritone voice makes the baritone a very busy man in any opera house. Follow the links to both sound examples and an extensive listing of typical roles… Read More
THE FACH SYSTEM: The tenor voice
Although we often see a division in the Lyric Tenor Fach, there are technically only five Fächer for the tenor voice. Here they are presented in the two main divisions, the Spiel- and Charakterfächer and the Seriöserfächer. Follow the links to both sound examples and an extensive listing of typical roles and audition arias. Part… Read More