Dear Linda,
Unkind one, it is not in my nature to be mischievous!
Nor would I equate contralto with alto, but that's only habit of
years. For me contralto is the correct term for the darkest female
voice, but I'm sure others have matured with different sounds in their
heads. Alto always brings to mind scrubbed clean boys singing in
reverential pose. There, is the male association that often leads to
the definition that an alto is a male singing in falsetto.
>The expression "contra-tenor"
>dates from the same period, and was often at roughly the same pitch.
>Counter-tenor singing the counter-melody. Sometimes it was higher,
>sometimes it was lower.
I read this as the tenor doing the contrapuntal notes around the
central theme, somewhat different from the synthetic term
'counter' and its present day use as a solo instrument rather than
as a accompaniment, for which it MAY, have been used then.
As far as the mezzo-soprano name goes, I applaud it's accuracy
and succinctness. It is neither contralto not soprano, but if
anything could be called female tenor. BUT.. they don't. Is that
in the interests of tonal similarity or gender. Either way I love it.
>Contraltos were and are still often called altos.
Now this I find confusing because as I seem to recall from what little
Latin I ever knew, Alt means two or the second part, but it is also
the German word for viola. Tell me if I'm wrong again. This also
fits in very well with a voice weaving above or below the
melody, as you describe for a contra-tenor. I could not imagine
a contralto doing that, nor do I think it would sound all that good!
To me a contralto is cello like!
So I won't use 'alto' to mean contralto, because you've just given
me another reason not to. Finally, I have never met a dishonest
mezzo-soprano in my life. Their disclosure of their vocal status
covers them with the glory of superior taste and purity, and
reveals their repugnance for poaching. : ) Reg.
"One must have loved a woman of genius
to comprehend the happiness of loving a fool."
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