tessitura
noun
tes·si·tu·ra
ˌte-sə-ˈtu̇r-ə 
: the general range of a melody or voice part
specifically
: the part of the register in which most of the tones of a melody or voice part lie
Examples of tessitura in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the two solo robot roles, contralto Danielle Perrault sounded a little light in her low tessitura, but her stage presence was convincing; bass Shelby Condray rumbled ominously as Radius, the leader of the revolt.
—
Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
As a performer, Allison has a strong stylistic command of her vibrato, demonstrates good pitch and bow control across her full tessitura, and can perform with great musicality.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
The fast-ascendant baritone Jarrett Ott, as Seward, mastered a demanding tessitura and vividly conveyed the character’s arrogance and agony.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2021
Kathleen Kim’s soprano sparkled in Josephine’s high tessitura; bass-baritone Wayne Tigges was appropriately brutal as Sgt.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 12 June 2018
Maxim Mironov proves capable of handling the high tenor tessitura while suavely sashaying with his scarf.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 13 Mar. 2018
That is, does music with a faster tempo—more beats, or footsteps, per second—tend to have a wider tessitura?
—Mark Changizi, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2012
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Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
As a performer, Allison has a strong stylistic command of her vibrato, demonstrates good pitch and bow control across her full tessitura, and can perform with great musicality.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
The fast-ascendant baritone Jarrett Ott, as Seward, mastered a demanding tessitura and vividly conveyed the character’s arrogance and agony.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2021
Kathleen Kim’s soprano sparkled in Josephine’s high tessitura; bass-baritone Wayne Tigges was appropriately brutal as Sgt.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 12 June 2018
Maxim Mironov proves capable of handling the high tenor tessitura while suavely sashaying with his scarf.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 13 Mar. 2018
That is, does music with a faster tempo—more beats, or footsteps, per second—tend to have a wider tessitura?
—Mark Changizi, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Tessitura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tessitura. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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