Empresses and princesses, goddesses and priestesses, stately noblewomen and pert servingmaids, seductive shepherdesses and fragile, innocent young maidens: sopranos play them all. And be they Queen of Egypt or Ethiopian slave girl, their beauty leaves a trail of eager suitors, desperate to win their favour. 'Coloratura' sopranos dazzle with their vocal agility and flexibility, tossing off virtuosic runs and leaps at breathtaking speed. 'Lyric' sopranos ravish with the warmth of their sound, both bright and full; 'dramatic' sopranos impress with the strength and expressive passion of their voice. For all sopranos, though, it's the ability to soar above the rest of the pack which brings the applause, the admiration and sometimes the gasps of astonishment! But whether shooting up into the stratosphere and beyond, or just frolicking among the clouds, the magic of the soprano voice has a unique power to lift our spirits.Featuring Joan Sutherland, Yvonne Kenny, Sumi Jo, Birgit Nilsson, Emma Matthews, Leontyne Price, Sara Macliver, Rita Streich and more.