contralto
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Contraction of contratenor alto, from Latin contratenor altus.
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -æltəʊ
[edit] Noun
contralto (plural contraltos or contralti)
- (music) the lowest female voice or voice part, higher than tenor and lower than soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Coordinate terms
- (voice types): soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)
[edit] Translations
- Finnish: kontra-altto
- Russian: контральто (ru) (kontrál'to) n.
- Vietnamese: giọng nữ trầm
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Italian
[edit] Etymology
[edit] Noun
contralto m. (plural contralti)
- contralto (female)
- counter-tenor (male)
