1. Vocal Range:
- Coloratura Soprano: Coloratura sopranos have a high, agile voice with a wide range, often extending up to G6 and beyond. They are known for their ability to sing rapid, intricate vocal runs, embellishments, and coloratura passages.
- Dramatic Soprano: Dramatic sopranos have a powerful, resonant voice with a lower tessitura compared to coloratura sopranos. Their range typically extends from A3 to B♭5 or even higher, and they excel in singing arias that demand emotional intensity, volume, and dramatic expression.
2. Voice Quality:
- Coloratura Soprano: Coloratura sopranos typically have a light, flexible, and clear voice, which enables them to navigate rapid coloratura passages with ease. Their voices are known for their agility, clarity, and ethereal beauty.
- Dramatic Soprano: Dramatic sopranos possess a more robust, weighty, and powerful voice. Their voices are characterized by a richness and depth that allows them to deliver dramatic, passionate performances.
3. Repertoire:
- Coloratura Soprano: Coloratura sopranos are often cast in roles that require high tessitura, agility, and vocal acrobatics. They are known for performing operas that showcase their vocal virtuosity, such as "The Queen of the Night" in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and "Lucia di Lammermoor" by Donizetti.
- Dramatic Soprano: Dramatic sopranos excel in roles that demand intense dramatic expression, vocal power, and emotional range. They often perform in operas like "Turandot" by Puccini, "Elektra" by Richard Strauss, and Wagnerian operas such as "Tristan und Isolde" and "Die Walküre."
In summary, while coloratura sopranos are known for their high, agile voices and vocal acrobatics, dramatic sopranos possess powerful, resonant voices and excel in delivering dramatic and emotionally intense performances. Both voice types are equally important and contribute in their unique ways to the richness of operatic repertoire.