Vocal Music Advice

Answer:

Now on the subject of Handel and Messiah solo roles.  It is true that Handel himself used the most capable available solo singers for his various performances and, yes, an alto was sometimes chosen to sing  the “Refiner’s Fire” aria.  However, a man (baritone) ALWAYS is designated to sing “The Trumpet Shall Sound”.

Whereas SOME bass solos are given to an alto, I’ve never known the reverse to be so.  Therefore, for example, a bass is not assigned to sing “O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” or “He Shall Feed His Flock” within the performance of Messiah unless he is a countertenor (a man singing in the alto range).  [There does seem to be some long-standing preferences (or prejudices?) along these lines, doesn't there?!]  I think the bottom-line issue is, “what is appropriate?” and “what has Handel himself allowed and designated?”  You will find that the Novello scores print the multiple versions of the various arias allowing the best available soloist to be given the appropriate key.
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ANSWER:

Assuming that a singer has a useful two-octave range (a mature singer will have this), baritones will find their upper useful limit to be G, A-flat or A above middle C – and down two octaves.

A Bass finds E-flat above middle C to be uncomfortable to sustain and is often his upper limit and he is much more comfortable staying in the lower half of his range.  In a choral situation, he’ll find low D’s and sometimes a low C within the realm of possibility.

Beyond these two designations are those singers who find themselves between these designations or lower than other parts.  A bass-baritone’s useful range is about F to F, and a basso-profundo’s useful range is low C to middle C with access to even lower notes frequently being available in choral situations (not solo).