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contralto Definition

con·tralto (kən tral′tō)

noun pl. contraltos -·tos or contralti -·ti (-tē)

  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
    1. a voice or singer with such a range
    2. a part for such a voice

Etymology: It: see contra- & alto

adjective

of, for, or having the range of a contralto
contralto Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • rich: De la Tour's rich contralto rings out; a contrast with Sheehan's fluting, soft soprano.
  • great: Marian Anderson - Singer who, at the peak of her career, was regarded as the world's greatest contralto.

Modifies a noun

  • voice: La Sonya's voice has a distinct flavor which contributes to her well rounded tones of a natural alto and contralto voice.
  • line: This will be the first time the soprano and contralto lines have sported a surplice and will improve the choir's presentation tremendously.