Contralto

Contralto
Voice type
Female voices
Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
Contralto

Male voices

Countertenor
Tenor
Baritone
Bass

Contralto is the deepest female classical singing voice,[1] with the lowest tessitura,[2] falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C (F3 in scientific pitch notation) to the second G above middle C (G5), although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C (E3) or the second B above middle C (B5).[1]

Contents

Terminology

"Contralto" is meaningful only in reference to classical and operatic singing, as other genres lack a system of vocal categorization comparable to that generally accepted in the classical context. Even within current operatic practice, contraltos are often classed as mezzo-sopranos, because singers in each range can cover for those in the other. When appearing separately, the term "contralto" applies only to female singers; men whose voices fall in the same range or higher are known as "countertenors."[2] The terms "contralto" and "alto" are not synonymous, the latter technically denoting a specific vocal range in choral singing without regard to factors like tessitura, vocal timbre, vocal facility, and vocal weight.[3]

Within the category of contraltos are three generally recognized subcategories—coloratura contralto, lyric contralto, and dramatic contralto—that usefully describe the voice type in general terms. Note, however, that they do not always apply with precision to individual singers; some exceptional dramatic contraltos, such as Ernestine Schumann-Heink and Sigrid Onégin, were technically equipped to perform not only heavy, dramatic music by the likes of Wagner but also florid compositions by Donizetti.

Coloratura contralto

Coloratura contraltos—who have light, agile voices ranging very high for the classification and atypically extensive coloratura and high sustaining notes—specialize in florid passages and leaps. Given its deviations from the classification's norms, this voice type is quite rare.

Lyric contralto

A lyric contralto voice is lighter than a dramatic contralto but not capable of the ornamentation and leaps of a coloratura contralto. This class of contralto, lighter in timbre than the others, is the most common today and usually ranges from the G below middle C (G3) to the G two octaves above middle C (G5).

Dramatic contralto

The dramatic is the deepest, darkest, and heaviest contralto voice, usually having a heavier tone and more power than the others. Singers in this class, like the coloratura contraltos, are rare. They typically sing in a range from the G below middle C (G3) to the A above middle C (A4).[4]

Contralto roles in opera

True operatic contraltos are rare, and the operatic literature contains few roles written specifically for them. Contraltos sometimes are assigned feminine roles like Angelina in La Cenerentola, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, and Olga in Eugene Onegin, but more frequently they play female villains or assume trouser roles originally written for castrati. A common saying among contraltos is that they may play only "witches, bitches, or britches."[5]

Examples of contralto roles in the standard operatic repertoire include the following:.[5]

* indicates a role that may also be sung by a mezzo-soprano.

See also

  • Fach
  • List of contraltos in non-classical music
  • List of operatic contraltos

References

  1. ^ a b McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults. Genovex Music Group. ISBN 978-1565939400. 
  2. ^ a b Appelman, D. Ralph (1986). The Science of Vocal Pedagogy: Theory and Application. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0253203786. 
  3. ^ Stark, James (2003). Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0802086143. 
  4. ^ The New York Times guide to essential knowledge[Full citation needed]
  5. ^ a b Boldrey, Richard (1994). Guide to Operatic Roles and Arias. Caldwell Publishing Company. ISBN 9781877761645. 

Further reading

  • Coffin, Berton (1960). Coloratura, Lyric and Dramatic Soprano, Vol. 1. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.. ISBN 9780810801882. 
  • Peckham, Anne (2005). Vocal Workouts for the Contemporary Singer. Berklee Press Publications. ISBN 978-0876390474. 
  • Smith, Brenda (2005). Choral Pedagogy. Plural Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1597560436. 

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • CONTRALTO — CONTRAL Terme synonyme d’alto. On utilise contralto pour désigner les voix possédant l’ambitus altiste. Pour les instruments, le vocable alto est préféré. L’usage est toutefois répandu d’appeler contralto la voix féminine d’alto, alors qu’on ne… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • contralto — CONTRÁLTO, s.n. invar. Voce feminină cu registrul cel mai grav şi a cărei întindere cuprinde aproximativ două octave. – Din it. contralto. Trimis de IoanSoleriu, 12.06.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  contrálto (voce) s. n. invar. (sil. mf. contr ) Trimis… …   Dicționar Român

  • Contralto — Con*tral to (? or ?), n. [It., fr. contra + alto. See {Alto}.] (Mus.) (a) The part sung by the highest male or lowest female voices; the alto or counter tenor. (b) the voice or singer performing this part; as, her voice is a contralto; she is a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Contralto — Con*tral to (? or ?), a. (Mus.) Of or pertaining to a contralto, or to the part in music called contralto; as, a contralto voice. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • contralto — lowest female voice, 1730, from It. contralto; see CONTRA (Cf. contra ) against, opposite + ALTO (Cf. alto). The part next above the alto …   Etymology dictionary

  • contralto — s. m. 1. Voz média entre triple e tenor. • s. f. 2. Dama que tem voz de contralto …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • contralto — sustantivo masculino 1. Área: música Voz entre la de tiple y la de tenor: Tienes voz de contralto. sustantivo masculino,f. 1. Área: música Persona que tiene esta voz: Es una de las contraltos …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • contralto — (Del it. contralto). 1. m. Mús. Voz media entre la de tiple y la de tenor. 2. com. Mús. Persona que tiene esta voz …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • contralto — [kən tral′tō] n. pl. contraltos or contralti [kən tral′tē] [It: see CONTRA & ALTO] 1. the range of a low female voice between mezzo soprano and tenor, usually from about the first F below middle C to the second F above; alto 2. a) a voice or… …   English World dictionary

  • contralto — CONTRALTO: On ne sait pas ce que c est …   Dictionnaire des idées reçues

  • contralto — has a plural contraltos, not (as in Italian) contralti …   Modern English usage

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