Definition

1. Noun:

   • The lowest female singing voice: In vocal music, "contralto" refers to the lowest standard female voice type, with a range typically extending from around the F below middle C to the second F or G above middle C.
   • A woman singer having a contralto voice: The term also refers to a female singer whose voice is classified within this low vocal range.

2. Adjective:

   • Of or being the lowest female voice: Used to describe a voice, part, or singer that belongs to the contralto vocal category.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her rich, deep voice was a true contralto.
  • The choir needed a strong contralto for the upcoming concert.
• Adjective:
  • She sang the contralto part in the oratorio.
  • The composer wrote a beautiful contralto aria.

Advanced Usage

• "A dramatic contralto": A subtype of contralto voice characterized by a particularly powerful, dark, and rich timbre, often used in operatic roles.
  • The role of Azucena in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" is a classic example for a dramatic contralto.
• "Contralto profondo": A very rare, exceptionally deep contralto voice, sometimes overlapping with the male countertenor range.
  • Her voice was so low and resonant it was considered a contralto profondo.

Variants and Related Words

• Alto (noun/adjective): In choral music, "alto" is often used interchangeably with "contralto" to denote the lowest female voice part. However, in strict solo classical singing, "contralto" is the more precise term for the voice type, while "alto" refers to the choral part.
  • She sings alto in the church choir, but her solo repertoire is contralto.

Synonyms

• Alto (chiefly in choral contexts): The lower female voice part in a choir.
• Deep female voice: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.

Antonyms

• Soprano: The highest standard female singing voice.
• Coloratura soprano: A very high, agile soprano voice.

Related Terms and Context

• Voice Types: Contralto is one of the standard classical voice types, alongside soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass.
• Fach System: In opera, the German system further categorizes contralto voices into types like (lyric contralto) and (dramatic contralto).

Adjective

1. of or being the lowest female voice

Noun

1. the lowest female singing voice
2. a woman singer having a contralto voice