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My friend kindof realized today that there aren't many musicals with female sopranos as the lead. There's Christine from phantom, Cosette from les mis, and Johanna from sweeny. Besides those she couldn't think of any other musicals with sopranos as the leads which made her quite depressed. She wanted to go into opera and now she's not too sure on that either. I'm a soprano as well and I'm not as depressed as her but I'm a little worried. I still want to go into opera but I'm not sure if I'd make it. My friend at least is taking classical training. I've got nothing. At least though I can fall back on my artwork if theatre doesn't go great for me, and become a starving artist. I'm only 14 and worrying about this. It doesn't feel right! Gah! Maybe its just the hell of production week. Sorry for ranting. Does anyone know any good musicals though with a soprano as a lead?

Forgive me for saying, but that sounds more like a prima donna complex than anything else. Just because a soprano isn't the lead character doesn't mean a woman isn't necessary to fill the lead female character role; nearly every show has them, save a few exceptions (cue: Forever Plaid). What Chiasmus said is true as well. Sopranos are a necessary part of musical theatre. They've been in demand since the beginning of musicals, and probably will be until the end of musicals.

Besides--just because there aren't a whole lot of leading soprano roles now doesn't mean there won't be more in the future. Keep your chin up. wink

aww thanks guys ^-^ I guess you're right, I felt bad cause I couldn't think of anything to say to comfort her. But thank you so much, I feel better, I tried to convince her that alot of people would kill for her voice but nothing cheered her up. I think I'll pass on what you said and see if it helps. Thanks!

There is Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Maria in West Side Story, Charlotta in Phantom of the Opera...most musicals have soprano leads. You just have to think a little heart

I always thought it would be easier to get roles if I were a soprano. It seems there are more opportunities for sopranos. Maybe that's because there are fewer of them. I'd also like to add Maria from The Sound of Music to that list, and maybe Mary Poppins.

Does the size of the part actually matter that much...?

Good quality sopranos are always in demand, because of the need for descant and soprano singers in the chorus. No one likes an ear splitting shriek... But thats all a lot of "sopranos" can do..

I had the best of time being in the London Philharmonic - I was one among like, 100 sopranos, but to be a part of that was an incredible experience.

Of course, there is no substitute for actually being THE lead soprano... but I think it's been pointed out here, there are plenty of lead solo parts for sopranos. The thing is, there are frankly more for the not-so-lead part - look at Blood Brothers, or Cats. And these parts are just as fantastic as main leads - at the end of the day, not everyone can be a center-stage prima donna. It sounds to me a lot like your friend is more worried about not becoming famous, than not getting a part in a musical... if I'm really honest. She already has more than a lot of actresses, with the classical training. I know I'd kill for that...

Still, to add to the list - Evita, has a massive solo part for someone with the range to pull it off smile As does Joseph, when the narrator is female.

You also have to consider most are written more mezzo soprano so they can usually be sung by both altos and sopranos. Very few roles dip down into a very low alto range, so be a soprano is actually benificial in some ways.

are you sure she didn't say alto? because i swear almost every musical has lead sopranos! there is also Laurey in Oklahoma! I dont know if Eponine is a lead but that character in Les Mis is soprano, yes and Maria in Sound of Music, and several sopranos in Titanic like Kate McGowan, Alice Beane and others.