different between contralto vs countertenor

English

Etymology

Contraction of contratenor alto, from Latin contratenor altus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?ælt??/, /k?n?t???lt??/
• Rhymes: -ælt??, -??lt??

Noun

contralto (plural contraltos or contralti)

1. (music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-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.

Synonyms

• alto

Coordinate terms

• (voice types): soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)

Related terms

• contratenor altus
• alto
• tenor

Translations

Italian

Etymology

contra- +? alto.

Noun

contralto m (plural contralti)

1. contralto (female)
2. counter-tenor (male)

Derived terms

• contraltile

Portuguese

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -awtu, -altu
• Hyphenation: con?tral?to

Noun

contralto m (plural contraltos)

1. (music) contralto (voice between tenor and mezzo-soprano)
2. (music) contralto (singer with this voice)

English

Alternative forms

• counter-tenor
• counter tenor

Etymology

counter- +? tenor

Noun

countertenor (plural countertenors)

1. adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range
2. male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range
3. (Older) a part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part

Coordinate terms

• (voice types): soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)

Related terms

• contratenor
• contratenor altus
• contratenor bassus

Translations