* The highest female voice
* Typically associated with young, light, and agile voices
* Subdivided into three main categories:
* Coloratura soprano: Has a wide vocal range and is known for its agility
* Lyric soprano: Has a pure and sweet tone and is often used for singing melodies
* Dramatic soprano: Has a powerful and intense tone and is often used for singing operatic roles
Mezzo-soprano
* Lower than soprano but higher than contralto
* Typically associated with warm, rich, and expressive voices
* Subdivided into two main categories:
* Lyric mezzo-soprano: Has a light and agile voice and is often used for singing supporting roles in opera
* Dramatic mezzo-soprano: Has a powerful and intense voice and is often used for singing leading roles in opera
Contralto
* The lowest female voice
* Typically associated with dark, rich, and resonant voices
* Often used for singing supporting roles in opera or for singing folk songs
Other vocal classifications
In addition to the three main female voice classifications, there are also a number of other vocal classifications that are sometimes used. These include:
* Soubrette: A light and agile voice that is often used for singing comic roles in opera
* Character soprano: A voice that is used for singing character roles in opera, such as old women or children
* Helden soprano: A powerful and dramatic voice that is often used for singing heroic roles in opera
* Bass-baritone: A low female voice that is often used for singing male roles in opera