Type of Singing Voice:
Tenor
Definition:
It is the highest male vocal range. It is lower than the alto but higher than the bass. This type of voice is usually used mainly to play the role of a hero in an opera. During the 13th to 16th century, the tenor voice was used for
plainsongs.
Range:
It is from the second B below middle C to the G above.
Word Origin:
The word tenor came from the Latin word
tenere meaning ‘to hold’. This is because during the time of polyphony, tenors "held" the melody.
Famous Tenors:
Three of the most famous tenors of our time are; the late
Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras.
Roles of Tenors in Famous Operas:
In the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's
Les Miserabes, the role of Jean Valjean is played using a tenor voice. Also, the role of Lt. Cable in
Richard Rodger's South Pacific and the role of Mr. Snow in the musical
Carousel both use the tenor voice.
Samples:
Samples from Luciano Pavarotti's Official Web site
