Soubrette

Soubrette is the name for a minor female role in opera and theatre. Very often, soubrettes are stock characters. In many cases, soubrettes represent a lady's maid, a female servant ot a lady. By extension, the term can refer generally to any saucy or flirtatious young woman. The term arrived in English from Provençal via French, and means "conceited" or "coy".^[1]

Soubrettes first appear in the theatre of the 17th century. They are modelled after Colombina, the lady's maid of the Commedia dell'arte. In opera, the soubrette gives a contrast to the Primadonna, who has a wider vocal range. Soubrettes are similar to coloratura sopranos, but they usually have less vocal range in the high parts. There's a difference between what's called the "German" soubrette, and the "Roman-French" soubrette. The Roman-French one has a darker and lower voice, almost an alto. Peopel playing soubrettes often also play in musicals, operettas, and irish folk songs. Well-known examples of people singing in these roles are Hayley Westenra and Sally Oldfield.