What is a breeches role?
Q: What is a breeches role?
A: A breeches role is a part in an opera in which a woman plays the role of a man. It is also called a trouser role (British) or pants role (U.S.) or travesti role (the Italian word). It is called a breeches role because breeches are tight-fitting, knee-length trousers that were worn by men at the time when these roles became popular.
Q: When did castrato singers become popular?
A: Castrato singers were popular during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Q: Who usually sings breeches roles?
A: Breeches roles are usually sung by mezzo-sopranos or contraltos with light voices because they can often sound boyish.
Q: What famous example of a breeches role exists in opera?
A: One famous example of a breeches role in opera is Cherubino from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, which was sung by a mezzo-soprano. Other examples include Siebel from Dvořák’s Rusalka and Prince Orlofsky from Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus.
Q: Are there any modern operas with breeches roles?
A: There are not many modern operas with breeches roles, although Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier does feature one as it was deliberately trying to produce the old-fashioned atmosphere of Mozart’s time.
Q: What is the opposite of a trouser/breech/pants role?
A: The opposite of these types of roles is known as skirt roles, which involve men acting out female characters such as Madwoman in Curlew River and Witch in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.
