What does contralti mean?
Contralti is the plural form of contralto, the term for a female singer whose voice occupies the lowest of the standard women's vocal ranges, typically extending below the alto line into a notably dark, warm timbre. In choral music, the contralti provide depth and richness beneath the mezzo-sopranos and sopranos, and celebrated operatic roles — often trouser roles or mature, authoritative characters — have been written for them. Because the word derives from Italian, it can be pluralized either in the anglicized manner ('contraltos') or in the Italian style ('contralti'); the latter is favored in formal or scholarly writing on music, particularly when discussing continental traditions. True contraltos are comparatively rare, which has historically made exceptional singers in this category especially prized. Knowing the plural form signals familiarity with classical terminology.
noun (plural of contralto)The plural of contralto: female singers possessing the lowest range of the typical women's choral voice types, or such voices themselves.
- As the plural of contralto: multiple female singers with the lowest common women's vocal range.
- As the plural of contralto in its voice-type sense: several instances of the lowest usual female choral part.
"The choir's two seasoned contralti anchored the alto section with a warm, resonant tone."
"The conductor praised the contralti for the rich, dark color they brought to the Requiem."
"Among the soloists were two accomplished contralti from Milan."
'Contralti' follows the Italian pattern of pluralizing words ending in '-o' with '-i'; 'contraltos' applies the standard English rule. Both are accepted, but 'contraltos' predominates in general usage.
"The festival featured three distinguished contralti in the leading roles."
In Italian musical tradition, the plural is 'contralti', not 'contraltos' — a reminder that this voice type owes its name entirely to Italy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contralti
The word comes from Italian 'contralto', formed from the prefix 'contra-' (against, opposite) plus 'alto' (high), originally indicating a voice that sang against, or below, the high parts. It entered English during the seventeenth century as Italian opera and vocal terminology spread across Europe, alongside cognate terms like 'contrabass'. The prefix 'contra-' itself traces back to Latin 'contra', meaning 'against', which also gives English words such as 'contrapuntal' and 'contraband'.
Related word forms
How contralti is actually used
'Contralti' preserves the Italian plural and appears chiefly in formal writing about classical music, especially when an Italianate flavor is intended. In everyday British and American usage, 'contraltos' is more common. The singular 'contralto' denotes a single singer or voice.
Easily confused with contralti
Contralto is the singular form denoting one low-voiced singer, while contralti is the Italian-style plural referring to more than one.
Both are plurals of contralto; 'contraltos' is the standard anglicized plural, whereas 'contralti' follows the Italian original.