What is a Contralto?

on February 16th, 2008

Webster’s Dictionary defines a contralto as the following:

1 a: a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano b: a person having this voice2: the part sung by a contralto

Vocal Range:

The lowest female voice being able to audibly and beautifully and comfortably sing roughly between F3 (F below middle C and possibly lower) and E5 (E above middle C and possibly higher).

Classical and operatic contraltos are singers who have regularly performed unamplified classical or operatic music in concert halls and/or opera houses. This is a list of the most famous of all historic and contemporary contraltos:

  • Kathleen Ferrier
  • Marion Anderson
  • Ewa Podles



Some examples of pop/crossover contraltos are:

  • Diana Krall
  • Bonnie Raitt
  • Sarah Vaughn


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2 Responses to “What is a Contralto?”

  1. what are some famous people in hip hop and r&b that sing alto?

  2. Good question Amanda - Queen Latifa would definately be in the category as well as Anita Baker, Toni Braxton, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, & Aretha Franklin. Got more answers for this question? Post ‘em here!

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