coloratura
noun
col·or·a·tu·ra
ˌkə-lə-rə-ˈtu̇r-ə 
-ˈtyu̇r-
often attributive
1
: elaborate embellishment in vocal music
broadly
: music with ornate figuration
2
: a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura
Examples of coloratura in a Sentence
a performance without much coloratura
Recent Examples on the Web
With samples and production textures tailor-made for her coloratura, Beyoncé reimagines yesteryear dance grooves and launches them well into the future.
—
Jaelani Turner-Williams, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
A great deal of the plot was devoted to the Phantom’s attempts to replace Carlotta, a fussy coloratura soprano with a thick Italian accent, with his beloved Christine.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
My voice is a light lyric soprano, with a bit of coloratura.
—New York Times, 27 May 2022
But her voice — and her rapid-fire coloratura — are remarkably well preserved, and her enthusiasm is irresistible.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022
Is agency merely singing like a bird, with mind-bending coloratura?
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022
And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.
—Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
Known for long phrases with boundless colors, emotions and dynamics, Rae’s coloratura soared effortlessly with a glittery vibrato, especially in the Richard Strauss and Fanny Mendelssohn pieces.
—Grace Jean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2019
His agility might be compared to that of a coloratura soprano.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2020
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Jaelani Turner-Williams, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
A great deal of the plot was devoted to the Phantom’s attempts to replace Carlotta, a fussy coloratura soprano with a thick Italian accent, with his beloved Christine.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
My voice is a light lyric soprano, with a bit of coloratura.
—New York Times, 27 May 2022
But her voice — and her rapid-fire coloratura — are remarkably well preserved, and her enthusiasm is irresistible.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022
Is agency merely singing like a bird, with mind-bending coloratura?
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022
And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.
—Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
Known for long phrases with boundless colors, emotions and dynamics, Rae’s coloratura soared effortlessly with a glittery vibrato, especially in the Richard Strauss and Fanny Mendelssohn pieces.
—Grace Jean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2019
His agility might be compared to that of a coloratura soprano.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near coloratura
Cite this Entry
“Coloratura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloratura. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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