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.
彼女は有名な声楽家だ。
She is a famous classical vocalist.
声楽家を目指して音楽大学に入った。
I entered a music college aiming to become a classical vocalist.
イタリアで修行を積んだ声楽家が出演する。
A classical vocalist who trained in Italy will be performing.
彼は長年大学で教える一方、現役の声楽家としても活躍している。
While he has taught at the university for many years, he is also active as a working classical vocalist.
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
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 歌手: singer — the most general word; includes pop, rock, enka, and classical.
- オペラ歌手: opera singer — a specific kind of classical vocalist.
- 音楽家: musician — broader term covering performers and composers.
- 作曲家: composer — parallel formation (家 = specialist).