1925–30; < German, equivalent to Helden- combining form of Held hero + Tenor tenor
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As it happened, the only current heldentenor who usually approaches the greats of yore, Andreas Schager, was in Bayreuth to sing Parsifal, if waywardly.
From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2018
In the small roles of the Theater Manager and Banker, Julian Close made a notable Met debut, showing a strong dark voice; Daniel Brenna, the American heldentenor, was slightly pale as Dr. Schön’s son Alwa.
From Washington Post • Nov. 6, 2015
Both companies field strong casts, but the standout was Australian heldentenor Stuart Skelton, whose Parsifal in London was just about ideal.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2011
Conversely, it is very rare to hear a baritone or heldentenor on the soundtrack of a horror movie.
From The Guardian • Oct. 22, 2010
A pure heldentenor, Cassilly possessed a booming, heroic voice that ideally suited grand Wagnerian roles.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
