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TYPES OF OPERA VOICES

PRE-TASK (15 mins)

1. How does your voice sound? How and why can you recognize your best friend’s or
mother’s voice? Watch this video and decide which type of voice you fit in best.
https://youtu.be/fTxV26A438I

2. Have a look at these pictures. Can you classify them according to high or low pitch?
Choose three and describe their voice using the words from the box below.

USEFUL PHRASES VOICE ADJECTIVES

I think Rihanna’s voice is…

Personally, I think… dark soft velvety high
I believe that… deep husky breathy
I have always loved … because her/his singing is… nasal wobbly thick
… is higher than… / is more velvety than…

TASK (20 mins)

1. Have you ever been to the opera? Can you name the different types of opera voices? Do
you know the name of any opera singers?
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2. Before watching a music teacher talk about timbre and the different types of opera
voices, answer the following questions: What is timbre? What are colour and texture? Do
they mean the same? Discuss in pairs.

PLAY VIDEO: https://youtu.be/enCdKB27XhE

(Play twice with and without subtitles in English)

3. Watch the video again and complete the table below:

FEMALE VOICE RANGE OF VOICE MALE VOICE

S_ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ T_ _ _ _

M _ __ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ B_ _ _ _ _ _ _

C_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ B_ _ _

AFTER TASK (15-20 mins)

1. Write a summary with the main ideas from the video and compare the different types of
voices. Then, compare your notes with your partner to complete the ideas. (175-100
words).