Italian for pushed, a description given to a voice or a role containing vigour or attack. Usually used only in reference to soprano or tenors. It can be modified, as in soprano lirico spinto, which would describe Leonora in IL Trovatore.
From the Italian meaning “to push.†A type of voice which is “pushed†towards another type. A “lirico spinto†soprano is a lyric voice that has some qualities of the heavier dramatic range. Spinto is a vocal quality in sopranos and tenors that implies emotional sincerity rather than technical fireworks. The role of Mimì in La bohème is often portrayed by a soprano with an essentially light voice who then “pushes†her voice to ride over the orchestra thus developing a “spinto†sound.
"Pushed," a lyric sound put to dramatic use
A type of soprano or tenor. Translated, the word literally means "pushed," and describes a more dramatic, dark sound, and usually a heavier voice.
A kind of voice which is "pushed" towards another, from the Italian "spingere" (to push); thus a "lirico spinto" soprano is a lyric voice that has some qualities of the heavier dramatic range. Frequently, sopranos who have essentially light voices will take on the role of, say, Mimì in LA BOHÈME(to portray her youthfulness and frailty) and push their voices to ride over the orchestra, thus developing a "spinto" sound. Licia Albanese, the great Italian soprano, would be a prime example of this type of soprano.
a voice with a strong, dramatic edge.
Spinto ("pushed") is a vocal term used to characterize a soprano or tenor voice of a weight between lyric and dramatic that is capable of handling large dramatic climaxes at moderate intervals. This voice type is recognized by its "slice," allowing the singer to be heard over a full Romantic orchestra in roles excluding, in particular, the most taxing of the Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, and R. Strauss parts.
