Literary notes about soprano (AI summary)
Across various literary works, the term "soprano" is employed in both musical and metaphorical contexts. In some texts, such as in Stendhal’s description of a “spiritual state” [1] or Helen Keller’s nuanced observation of vocal tones [2], “soprano” extends beyond a mere technical descriptor, suggesting an elevated, almost transcendent quality. In many other instances, however, the term functions within detailed discussions of musical performance—referenced as a specific vocal range within ensemble arrangements [3, 4, 5, 6, 7] and composed pieces like arias and operatic numbers [8, 9]. Authors like Dumas [10] and Joyce [11, 12] incorporate “soprano” to capture both the appearance of a character’s vocal talent and the social or aesthetic implications associated with that musical role. This multifaceted usage highlights the word’s ability to operate on literal, technical levels as well as in more symbolic or narrative-driven ways throughout literature.
- Observe the transitory courage of stags and the spiritual state of a soprano.
— from On Love by Stendhal - While I read the lips of a woman whose voice is soprano, I note a low tone or a glad tone in the midst of a high, flowing voice.
— from The World I Live In by Helen Keller - The Golden Cockerel 163 —Soprano and viola (cf. Ex. 226 ).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Besides the principal terms mentioned above, the names mezzo-soprano (between sop. and alto), and baritone (between tenor and bass) are also employed.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - In widely-spaced harmony only the soprano and alto parts may be doubled in octaves.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - It has already been stated that the E string diminishes in fulness of tone -41- the higher it ascends from the limits of the soprano voice.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - In tonality and range the instrument is similar to the soprano cornet in a military band.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - I had already written an aria for soprano which had been performed the winter before at one of the theatre concerts.
— from My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner - Therese Ringelmann, the daughter of a grave-digger, thanks to her beautiful soprano voice, led me to believe that I could make a great singer of her.
— from My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner - “M. Cavalcanti has a fine tenor voice,” said he, “and Mademoiselle Eugénie a splendid soprano,
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - His wife, who had been a soprano, still taught young children to play the piano at low terms.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - Someone said that she was Madam Glynn, the soprano.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce