contralto etymology

Etymology:

  • From Italian contralto, from Late Latin contra altus "opposite high (soprano)".

Meaning:

  • The lowest female voice type, with a range of around C3 to F5.

Origin:

The term "contralto" was originally used to describe a male singer who had a voice range similar to that of a female alto. The term evolved in the 18th century to refer to a female singer with a low voice.

In the early days of opera, contralto roles were often sung by castrati, male singers who had been castrated in order to preserve their high voices. As castrati became less common, female contraltos began to take on these roles.

Contraltos have a dark, rich sound that is often described as "mellow" or "velvety." They are often used to sing roles that require a strong, dramatic voice, such as Carmen in Bizet's opera of the same name.

Some famous contraltos include Kathleen Ferrier, Shirley Verrett, and Anne Sofie von Otter.

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