French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
soprano
Pronunciation
IPA/sopʁano/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)soprano
Example
La soprano du concert a reçu une ovation.
The soprano at the concert received an ovation.
More examples
La soprano a ému le public avec son air.
The soprano moved the audience with her aria.
Core concept
The highest vocal line in a score, carried by a singer with that range.
Common phrases
la soprano principale
the lead soprano
soprano lyrique
lyric soprano
une soprano célèbre
a famous soprano
Similar words
voix: The singing or speaking sound made by a person or instrument.
chanteuse: A woman who sings in popular music or theatrical performances.
soliste: A singer assigned to perform alone in a concert or musical work.
choriste: A singer performing together with other singers in a choir or chorus.
Definition in French
Partie la plus aiguë d'une composition vocale; par extension, chanteuse dont la tessiture correspond à cette partie, surtout dans le répertoire lyrique.
Word origin
French borrowed soprano from Italian, where it comes from sopra, meaning "above"; the term names the highest vocal part and its singer.
Usage tips
- For a female singer, French commonly uses la soprano with feminine agreement, as in la soprano du concert.
Opposites
- bassebass singernoun
- barytonbaritonenoun
Related words
- sopranistesopranistnoun