Bass-Baritone

Bass-Baritones straddle the bass and baritone ranges. A good bass-baritone needs good low notes, but should also feel comfortable at the top of his range as well.

The clip below is an aria sung by John the Baptist in Strauss’s Salome. In it, the imprisoned prophet warns of impending doom for the unrepentant. Listen for volume and power in this bass-baritone’s voice. Sung in German.

This excerpt is from Nashville Opera’s 2004 production of Richard Strauss’s Salome.

Other roles that can be sung by bass-baritones: Leporello (Mozart’s Don Giovanni), Olin Blitch (Floyd’s Susannah).