What Is Tenor Voice

The lightest and most agile tenor type, characterized by a sweet, warm tone and exceptional flexibility. Lyric tenors excel at melodic, expressive singing with beautiful legato and effortless high notes. They typically have a lighter voice that emphasizes beauty over power, ideal for romantic, youthful roles. This is the most common tenor subtype.

A lyric tenor with added power and dramatic weight, capable of "pushing" the voice for climactic moments. Spinto tenors combine the beauty of lyric singing with the ability to cut through heavy orchestration in dramatic passages. They bridge the gap between lyric and dramatic tenors, making them highly versatile for a wide range of Italian and French romantic repertoire.

The most powerful tenor voice type, with exceptional strength, stamina, and a darker, weightier timbre. Dramatic tenors can sustain high intensity singing over long periods and cut through the largest orchestras. The Heldentenor (heroic tenor) is the German variant, specifically suited to Wagner's demanding roles. They sacrifice some agility for overwhelming power and endurance.

An exceptionally light, agile tenor specializing in florid, ornate singing with extraordinary high range extension. Leggero tenors can execute rapid coloratura passages and often sing comfortably above C5, sometimes into the soprano range using reinforced falsetto. They emphasize agility, brilliance, and stratospheric high notes over tonal weight.

Specialized in character roles requiring acting ability, distinctive vocal color, and often comic timing. Character tenors may have unconventional timbres—nasal, bright, or edgy—that work perfectly for specific character types. They prioritize dramatic effect and characterization over pure tonal beauty, though still maintaining tenor range and technique.