Contralto

Contralto is the deepest or lowest species of musical voice in boys, in eunuchs, and best of all in women, where its beauty of tone gives it the preference. This quality of the human voice was too much neglected by the French and German composers and singing-masters. Rossini and the Italians have, on the other hand, abundantly utilised its capabilities, and it is now one of the normal parts in the choral music of all nations. The powers of expression which it possesses are quite peculiar, and cannot be supplied by any other kind of voice. Its tone-character (timbre) is serious, spiritual, tender, and romantic. The low contralto in particular has a fullness of tone combined with power in the lower range. The high contralto has generally the same range of compass as the mezzo-soprano, but differs from it in the position of the cantabile and in its character of tone. Contralto voices generally consist of two registers, the lowest beginning at F or G below middle C, and reaching as high as the A or B above it. The higher notes up to the next F or G partake more of the character of the soprano. See VOICE.