contralto

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contralto

contralto , female voice of lowest pitch. Originally, the term denoted a second voice set against ( contra ) a high voice ( alto ); thus, a second high voice. Since most second parts were for a high male voice or a low woman's voice, the term came to mean a low woman's voice, pitched about a fifth below the soprano. See also alto ; countertenor ; voice .

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"contralto." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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contralto

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

contralto XVIII (earlier contrealt). — It., f. CONTRA- and ALTO.

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T. F. HOAD. "contralto." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "contralto." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (July 9, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-contralto.html

T. F. HOAD. "contralto." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved July 09, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-contralto.html

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contralto

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

contralto Lowest range (below soprano and mezzo-soprano) of the female singing voice. A male voice in this range is called a countertenor. See also alto

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