contralto
oxford
views updated May 23 2018con·tral·to / kənˈtraltō/ •
n. (pl. -tos) the lowest female singing voice. ∎ a singer with such a voice. ∎ a part written for such a voice.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
contralto
oxford
views updated May 21 2018contralto Lowest range (below
soprano and
mezzo-soprano) of the female singing voice. A male voice in this range is called a
countertenor. See also
alto World Encyclopedia
contralto
oxford
views updated May 29 2018contralto XVIII (earlier
contrealt). — It., f.
CONTRA- and
ALTO.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
contralto
oxford
views updated May 21 2018contralto (It.). The lowest of the ranges of female v., with a normal range g–g″. Originally term meant a male singer, falsetto or castrato, being derived from ‘contr’ alto', abbrev. of contratenor altus.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE