Soprano
The soprano is the highest female voice. The typical soprano voice lies between middle C (C4) and "high C"(C6). The low extreme for sopranos is roughly B3 or A3 (just below middle C). Most soprano roles do not extend above "high C" although there are several standard soprano roles that call for D6 or D-flat6. At the highest extreme, some coloratura soprano roles may reach from F6 to A6 (the F to A above "high C").
Soprano tessitura: The tessitura of the soprano voice lies higher than all the other female voices. In particular, the coloratura soprano has the highest tessitura of all the soprano sub-types.
Soprano sub-types: As with all voice categories, sopranos are often divided into different sub-categories based on range, vocal color or timbre, the weight of voice, and dexterity of the voice. These sub-categories include: Coloratura soprano, Soubrette, Lyric soprano, Spinto, and Dramatic soprano.
Mezzo-soprano
The mezzo-soprano is the middle-range voice type for females and is the most common female voice.
Mezzo-soprano range: The mezzo-soprano voice lies between the soprano voice and contralto voice, over-lapping both of them. The typical range of this voice is between A3 (the A below middle C) to A5 (the A two octaves above A3). In the lower and upper extremes, some mezzo-sopranos may extend down to the F below middle C (F3) and as high as "high C" (C6).
Mezzo-soprano tessitura: Although this voice overlaps both the contralto and soprano voices, the tessitura of the mezzo-soprano is lower than that of the soprano and higher than that of the contralto.
Mezzo-soprano sub-types: Mezzo-sopranos are often broken down into three categories: Lyric mezzo-soprano, Coloratura mezzo-soprano and Dramatic mezzo-soprano
Alto is the term used for a designated vocal line in choral music based on vocal range. The alto part in choral music may range as much as two octaves, approximately from G3 (the G below middle C) to F5 (the F in the second octave above middle C), though not often in one work, and is usually sung by female voices. As with all voice types, personal range, color and intensity vary.
The Contralto voice is the lowest female voice. A true operatic contralto is extremely rare, so much so that often roles intended for contraltos are performed by mezzo-sopranos. The typical contralto range lies between the E below middle C (E3) to the second E (E5) above middle C. In the lower and upper extremes, some contralto voices can sing from the D below middle C (D3) to the second B-flat above (B♭5), which is only one whole step short of the "Soprano C".
Contralto tessitura: The contralto voice has the lowest tessitura of the female voices. In current operatic practice, female singers with very low vocal tessituras are often included among mezzo-sopranos.