coloratura

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

From Italian coloratura, from Late Latin coloratura, from colorare "to colour".

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɒləɹəˈtjʊɹə/ X-SAMPA: /kQl@r@"tjUr@/

Noun

coloratura (plural coloratura or coloraturas)

1. plural florid or fancy passages in vocal music
2. singular a singer of such passages, especially a soprano
   • 1980: The middle one, of course, was the coloratura Julia Kristeva, known as the most voluptuous Salome in the business. — Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers

Adjective

coloratura (comparative more coloratura, superlative most coloratura)

1. Pertaining to coloratura.

   She has a lighter and more coloratura voice.

   This role has the most coloratura singing in the opera.

   • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter XII:

     I drew a deep breath, this time fortunately unmixed with gin and tonic. I was profoundly stirred. “You mean,” I said, my voice quavering like that of a coloratura soprano, “that I went through that soul-shattering experience all for nothing?”

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Italian

Wikipedia ^it

Etymology

colorare +‎ -tura

Noun

coloratura f (plural colorature)

1. colouration, colouring
2. (music) Virtuosic ornamentation of a melody

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Latin

Participle

colōrātūra

1. nominative feminine singular of colōrātūrus
2. nominative neuter plural of colōrātūrus
3. accusative neuter plural of colōrātūrus
4. vocative feminine singular of colōrātūrus
5. vocative neuter plural of colōrātūrus

colōrātūrā

1. ablative feminine singular of colōrātūrus