A basso (or bass) is a male singer who sings in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. A typical bass has a range extending from around the E below the bottom of the bass clef to the E above middle C (on the first line of the treble clef). Bass also used to refer to a low speaking voice.
In classical music, and particularly in opera, the following distinctions are often made between different kinds of basses:
- A basso profundo (also basso profondo or basse noble) is a singer with a particularly deep voice; they may be able to sing as low as the B below the bass clef.
- By contrast, a basso cantate (or basse chantate) is a singer with a lighter, more lyrical voice, perhaps with a slightly higher range.
- Basso buffo is a term used for a comic bass.
- Sometimes the term bass-baritone is used to mean a singer with a range and tone somewhere between a bass and a baritone (a male voice somewhat higher than a bass).
List
The following is a partial list of well-known bassos:
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