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Where does the word "contralto" come from? It comes from Italian contralto, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).
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Where does the word "contralto" come from? It comes from Italian contralto, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).
Contralto’s story begins in Italian: contralto meant “against the high voice.” Literally against-high, the lowest female vocal range. It reached English by 1730s as contralto. Italian 'contra', against, plus 'alto', the part sung against the high part. Today, contralto means the lowest female singing voice.
- Stage 1 · Italian · 1700s contralto "against the high voice", literally against-high, the lowest female vocal range.
- Stage 2 · English · 1730s contralto "the lowest female singing voice", Italian 'contra', against, plus 'alto', the part sung against the high part.