Contralto

A contralto is the lowest conventional female singing voice type, characterized by a low range and a rich, dark timbre. The term also names a singer with this voice.

Vocal range: The span from the lowest to highest pitches a voice can produce. Contralto describes a voice type associated with the lowest conventional female range.
Mezzo-soprano: The middle conventional female singing voice type, between contralto and soprano. Mezzo-sopranos generally sing higher than contraltos and often overlap their ranges.
Opera: A staged dramatic work in which singing and instrumental music carry the action. Contralto voice types are especially visible in operatic roles written around low, dark vocal color.
Marian Anderson: An American contralto celebrated for her concert performances and historic 1939 Lincoln Memorial recital. Anderson became one of the most celebrated contraltos of the twentieth century.
Tessitura: The pitch region in which a voice or instrument performs most comfortably and consistently. A contralto is identified partly by where sustained singing sits comfortably, not just its extreme notes.
Soprano: The highest conventional female singing voice type in classical vocal classification. Its higher tessitura contrasts with the contralto’s low-centered vocal character.
Oratorio: A large musical work for orchestra, vocal soloists, and chorus, usually performed without staging. Oratorios provide substantial solo repertoire for low female voices.
Kathleen Ferrier: An English contralto known for performances of English song, Bach, and Mahler. Ferrier’s recordings are renowned examples of contralto tone and expressive range.
Vocal register: A series of vocal tones produced with a particular pattern of vocal-fold vibration and resonance. Register shifts help explain the distinctive production of low and middle contralto notes.
Countertenor: A male singer who uses falsetto or related techniques to sing in a range comparable to alto or mezzo-soprano. Countertenors can occupy similar pitches, but differ in vocal production and voice classification.

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