1.
a professional singer in the classical or art-music tradition — typically an opera singer, lieder singer, or trained soloist, as distinguished from a popular or rock singer
Refers specifically to someone trained in the art of 声楽 (classical vocal music) — opera, art song, oratorio, or church music. The word carries an image of formal concert halls, Western classical training, and sustained academic study, and would not be applied to a J-pop singer or street musician.
Composed of 声楽 ("vocal music," specifically in the classical tradition) + 家 ("specialist, -ist"). Denotes a trained singer of Western classical repertoire — not a pop or folk singer.
Usage
- Often modified by voice type in more detailed descriptions: ソプラノ歌手 / バリトン歌手 are common alternatives when naming a specific voice part.
- Typical verbs: 目指す ("to aspire to become"), 活躍する ("to be active as"), デビューする ("to debut").
- Career context: 声楽家 almost always implies formal training through a conservatory or music university.
Common collocations
- 有名な声楽家: a famous classical vocalist
- 声楽家を目指す: to aspire to become a classical vocalist
- 現役の声楽家: an active/working classical vocalist
- 声楽家として活躍する: to be active as a classical vocalist