Definition of "colorature" [col•or•a•ture]

• An elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and 19th centuries, with runs, trills, leaps, etc. (noun)

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• "'colorature' singer of the latest style -- Madame Spatser"
• "The Lehmann's voice was as yours in her youth, light at first and colorature; and it grew!"
• "Already the development of colorature singing had reached a high degree of perfection."