| Vocal ranges |
| Female ranges |
The bass-baritone voice is distinguished by two attributes. First, it must have an effective upper range to at least F# above middle C and be capable of singing comfortably in a baritonal tessitura. It must also, however, have the resonant lower range typically associated with the bass. For example, the role of Wotan in Die Walküre covers the range from the F# above middle C to the F below the bass clef but only infrequently descends beyond the C below middle C.
Although the Wagnerian roles are most associated with the bass-baritone, there are a number of others that are probably appropriate for such a voice. The title character of Don Giovanni, by Mozart, and Don Basilio, in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, are well-known examples.
The term is also used to refer to a singer who possesses such a singing voice.