voice type

THE FACH SYSTEM: The lower female voices

There are four vocal categories for the lower female voice in the Fach system. Here they are separated into the Seriöserfächer and the Spiel- and Charakterfächer. Follow the links to an extensive listing of typical roles and audition arias.   Part one: Spiel- und (and) Charakterfach: [ʃpi:l ʊnt ka.’ʁak.tɐ  ‘fax] Spielalt (Lyrischer Mezzosopran) [‘ʃpi:l.’alt  ‘ly:.ʁɪ.ʃɐ.’mɛd.zo.so.’pʁan] (f–b”):… Read More

THE FACH SYSTEM: The Soprano Voice, part two

There are eight different categories for the soprano voice in the Fach system separated into 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 two: Seriöser Fächer [ze.ʁi.’ø:.zɐ ‘fɛ:.çɐ] Lyrischer (Hoher) Sopran [‘ly:.ʁɪ.ʃɐ  ‘ho:.ɐ  so.’pʁa:n] (c’-c”‘): A supple… Read More

THE FACH SYSTEM: The Soprano Voice, part one

There are eight different categories for the soprano voice in the Fach system separated into 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 one: Spiel- and Charakterfächer: [ʃpi:l ʊnt ka.’ʁak.tɐ  ‘fɛ:.çɐ] Spielsopran (Deutsche Soubrette) [‘ʃpi:l.so.’pʁa:n  ‘dɔ:ʏ.ʧə  zu.’brɛ.tə]… Read More

THE FACH SYSTEM: The Soloists

The basic categories of the singing voice, soprano, alto, tenor and bass with their intermediate categories of mezzo-soprano and baritone are the basis of the vocal ranges in the German Fach system. In practice, the voices types are further defined according to quality, range, volume, acting demands, and physical appearance. The first division separates each… Read More

Featured Texts for March – Franz Peter Schubert

Undoubtedly Schubert’s most famous ballad is the Erlkönig but do you know Der Zwerg (The Dwarf)? Download the text from IPA Source, the score from IMSLP and then listen to Jessye Norman sing this powerful song on YouTube. Appropriate for both male and female voices. Get ready for spring with Schubert’s passionate love song, Heimliches… Read More