Top 10 Roles Every Soprano Wants

Any soprano would kill to play this part! In the thrilling musical comedy, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” Phoebe D'Ysquith is one of the two leading ladies. Any performer who is lucky enough to be cast in the role has some dangerously delicious material to work with. Trapped in a tricky love triangle, the character allows sopranos an opportunity to get in touch with their funny side. This is especially true in the musically complex trio tune “I’ve Decided to Marry You.” Sopranos also relish the comedic opportunities the character presents, something which isn’t always true in leading lady roles. It's a bucket list role for every soprano!

Following the famous six wives of Henry VIII as they compete in a singing contest, the show offers up many fabulous roles for female identifying performers. However, there is one part that every soprano eyes and that is Katherine Howard. Inspired by both Ariana Grande and Britney Spears, Howard requires a performer who can sing as high as the heavens and beyond. Not only that, but playing her also demands an emotional range that packs a mighty punch. It’s no wonder that all sopranos “...Wanna Do” is play this highly coveted role!

Originated on Broadway by the one and only Kelli O’Hara, the character of Clara Johnson from “The Light in the Piazza” is a gift to sopranos. Mixing traditional theatre, classical music and opera into a stunning whole, the Adam Guettel score is not for the faint of heart. The highest note for Clara is A5 with her lowest note being A3. The part demands a highly skilled singer with proper technique and years of training under their belt. In addition, the dramatic demands of the role also require an assured and sensitive performer. Luckily, future Claras have examples such as O’Hara and Dove Cameron to inspire them on their journey.

Stephen Sondheim wrote countless soprano roles over the course of his illustrious career, and one of his most famous is Cinderella in “Into the Woods.” The part is a dream come true for many musical theatre performers. Spinning the iconic character on her head, providing her with agency and depth, this runaway princess is the heart and soul of the show. Singing the powerful lyrics of “No One is Alone” is a moment that many sopranos long for. The chance to play her emotional rags to riches storyline is highly competitive, which has resulted in happily ever afters for performers such as Anna Kendrick, Krysta Rodriguez and Phillipa Soo.

“Sweeney Todd’s” Johanna Barker is in some ways the ultimate ingenue role. She is kind, innocent and has the voice of an angel. However, at just sixteen years old, she is forced to quickly grow up when she is thrust into the homicidal horrors that are plaguing London’s Fleet Street. It’s a part that is the perfect balance of both highwire acting and singing. Take for instance her signature song, “Green Finch and Linnet Bird.” Crafted for sopranos, it requires performers to almost emulate the high pitch vocals of the birds she sings about. And that’s no easier than it sounds.

One of the most notable soprano roles to hit the stage in recent years is none other than “Hamilton’s” leading lady, Eliza Schuyler. Based on the real life American philanthropist and wife of founding father Alexander Hamilton, Eliza, as a main character, has it all and more: lots of memorable songs, a wealth of emotional depth and she even closes the show! From “Burn” to “That Would Be Enough,” she is the beating pulse of this musical phenomenon. “How lucky” sopranos are “to be alive right now” to portray her!

One of the biggest musicals of all time, “Les Misérables” is a theatrical epic with a giant cast of characters. There’s something for all actors, but sopranos need to look no further than Cosette, the musical’s ingénue extraordinaire. Younger performers can shine on “Castle On A Cloud” and “In My Life” provides more experienced sopranos with a chance to really let their vocals shine. With a sweet and kind disposition, Cosette is a beacon of hope and light despite the production's sad and harrowing plot. In fact, she is even the face of the show!

For sopranos, West Side Story’s Maria “…is the most beautiful sound” they’ve “ever heard!” From Carol Lawrence to Natalie Wood to Rachel Zegler, this role is the gift that keeps on giving and giving. As most know, the show is a contemporary take on Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet.” Maria is one half of an ill-fated young and intense love story where the stakes are as high as her notes. She is the voice behind memorable musical theatre classics like “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight,” and the beauty of the music and lyrics and the emotions at play make the role an irresistible challenge. It’s totally understandable why sopranos would give it all to play her!

She is musical theatre’s “Angel of Music” and every soprano’s dream! “The Phantom of the Opera’s” Christine Daaé is a role that not only requires a performer to be a knockout vocalist, but also a triple threat. Between her singing, dancing and acting, her talents are limitless. For 30 plus years, “The Phantom” haunted Broadway and the West End, and many sopranos earned the opportunity to lend their operatic vocals to the demanding role. Time will only tell if this mega-musical will return to the Great White Way, but if and when it does, there will be a whole new generation of Christines waiting in the wings!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Hope Cladwell, “Urinetown”
This Role Has a Lot Of “Hope-fuls” Waiting to Play Her!

Natasha, “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812”
Sopranos Can’t Wait to Travel Back to 19th Century Russia For This Part!

Francesca Johnson, “The Bridges of Madison County”
This Part Proves Being a Soprano Is “Always Better”

Sarah Brown, “Guys and Dolls”
DING, DONG! Sopranos Are Knocking Down All The Doors to Play This Part

Jane Doe, “Ride the Cyclone”
This Gravity Defying Role Isn’t For the Faint Of Heart

For over 20 years, “Wicked” has been a major part of the Broadway zeitgeist. In 2003, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth originated the role of Glinda, thus creating a part that would inspire young sopranos to pursue musical theatre with a vengeance. The ditzy, bubbly and comedic role isn’t just all fun and games. Glinda has a lot of emotional depth and goes through plenty of character development, especially in the second act of the show. It’s no surprise that she’s one of the most “Popular” soprano roles ever created!

Which one of these soprano roles would be a dream of yours to play? Let us know in the comments!