The baritone is the mid range voice of the male vocal types and has an interesting history. The use of the term ‘baritone’ as it is understood today, did not come into vogue until the eighteenth century. Even then, these lower male voices were still more frequently classed as a type of bass until the nineteenth century.
History of the Term ‘Baritone’
In the early days of choral and operatic music, the baritone range was the average male voice, and they were the bass sounds of the vocal mix. Into the seventeenth century, the term makes its first appearance, but then specifically to describe the average lower pitched voice in a choral setting.
In the eighteenth century, Mozart’s prolific use of this mellow, mid-range voice in a wide selection of major operatic roles began the understanding the baritone as a distinct type. The rise of bel canto operas in the eighteenth century marked the beginning of it being seen as a distinctly separate classification from the bass voice type.
Types of Baritones and the Roles They Play
The baritone is a classification that covers a broad range of voices. Common to them all is a certain degree of fluidity and mellowness in the quality of the sound that separates them from the brilliance of the tenor register and the darkness of the bass. Opera composers have exploited this range to the full and baritones play heroes, villains, character and supporting roles.
Bariton-Martin
This, the highest and most brilliant sound in the baritone range, is named for Jean-Blaise Martin (1768-1837) who was renowned for his ability to sing a fine falsetto and for the tenor-like quality of his sound. Roles include Ramino, L’heurre Espagnole, Ravel and Morales, Carmen, Bizet.
Lyric Baritone
The lyric baritone is characterised by a sweet, mild quality, often used in comic roles. The most well known example is the title role in Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Others include Mozart’s Count Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, Guglielmo, Cosi fan tutti and Papageno, The Magic Flute and Puccini’s Marcello, La Boheme.
Kavalierbariton
This type has a notably metallic and penetrating quality and noble colour, lending itself to imposing characters. These singers are able to sing both lyric and dramatic phrases, offering great flexibility. Roles include the Count, Capriccio, Richard Strauss and Germont, Traviata, Verdi.
Verdi Baritone
The Verdi baritone is a subset of the dramatic baritone. These singers are capable of sustained, consistent singing with ease in the highest part of the range, with a characteristic ringing quality. This was much liked by Verdi, who wrote Amonasra, Aida, Carlo, Ernani, Conte di Luna, Lucia di Lammermoor, and the title roles of Falstaff, Macbeth and Rigoletto to exploit the carrying qualities of this baritone type.
Dramatic Baritone
The dramatic baritone is the sound that most people expect from a baritone. It is darker, richer and fuller than the lyric type, with an occasional harsher quality. These are often the villains in the operatic repertoire, being able to easily produce a quite menacing colour. Such roles include Scarpia, Tosca, Puccini, Escamillo, Carmen, Bizet and the title role of Otello, Verdi.
Bass Baritone or Heldenbariton
This is a voice of great power and strength with the mellow quality of the baritone, a lower tessitura of a true baritone, but not the bottom notes that would encompass the bass range. While many bass baritones can encompass some bass roles, they lack the darker quality of a true bass. The role that best exemplifies this type is Mozart’s Figaro, The Marriage of Figaro. Others include Beethoven’s Fidelio and the Dutchman from Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.
As a voice type, like the mezzo soprano, this is a mid range, warm and accessible voice for those learning about opera. The characters they play are interesting and often complex, as is the voice itself. From 'bad boys' to kings to barbers, there is a role that will appeal to everyone.
Readers may also enjoy Operatic Voice Types - The Tenor
Karen Finch - Karen is a Sydney based freelance writer, artist and musician. To learn more, click on her name to read her profile.
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