Coloratura has several meanings: The word is originally from
Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the
Latin word
colorare ("to color"). When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate
melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in
operatic singing of the 18th and 19th centuries, with
runs,
trills, wide
leaps, or similar
virtuoso-like material. Its instrumental equivalent is
ornamentation. It is also now widely used to refer to
passages of such music, operatic roles in which such music plays a prominent part, and singers of these roles. (See also
bel canto.)