A
dramatic soprano is a type of
operatic soprano with a powerful, rich, emotive voice that can sing over, or cut through, a full orchestra. Thicker
vocal folds in dramatic voices usually (but not always) mean less agility than lighter voices but a sustained, fuller sound. Usually this voice has a lower
tessitura than other sopranos, and a darker
timbre. They are often used for
heroic, often long-
suffering,
tragic women of opera. Dramatic sopranos have a
range from approximately low A (
A3) to "high C" (C
6). Some dramatic sopranos, known as
Wagnerian sopranos, have an exceptionally big voice that can assert itself over a large orchestra (of more than 80 or even 100 pieces). These voices are substantial, often denser in tone, extremely powerful and, ideally, evenly balanced throughout the
vocal registers.
Wagnerian sopranos usually play mythic heroines. Successful Wagnerian sopranos are rare and often Wagnerian roles are performed by Italianate dramatic sopranos.