Contralto vs. Tenor — What's the Difference?

Has a relatively limited but specialized repertoire.

Excels in roles requiring heroic or romantic expression.

Often plays roles requiring emotional depth and maturity.

Features prominently in opera and musical theatre.

Known for strength in lower registers, offering unique warmth.

Has a wide and varied repertoire across genres.

Can cross over into male roles in some performances.

The highest male voice type, celebrated for its brightness and range.

A deep and rich female voice type, rare and valued in choral and opera.

Known for dramatic high notes and expressive capabilities.

A contralto (Italian pronunciation: [konˈtralto]) is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type.The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typically between the F below middle C (F3 in scientific pitch notation) to the second F above middle C (F5), although, at the extremes, some voices can reach the D below middle C (D3) or the second B♭ above middle C (B♭5). The contralto voice type is generally divided into the coloratura, lyric, and dramatic contralto.

A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is one of the highest of the male voice types.

The lowest female singing voice

An instrument, especially a saxophone, trombone, tuba, or viol, of the second or third lowest pitch in its family

The lowest female voice or voice part, intermediate in range between soprano and tenor.

The general meaning, sense, or content of something

A woman having a contralto voice.

The actual wording of a document.

(music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.

The time that must elapse before a bill of exchange or promissory note becomes due for payment.

The part sung by the highest male or lowest female voices; the alto or counter tenor.

The general course or character of something

Of or pertaining to a contralto, or to the part in music called contralto; as, a contralto voice.

The word, phrase, or subject with which the vehicle of a metaphor is identified, as life in "Life's but a walking shadow" (Shakespeare).

A woman singer having a contralto voice

The general meaning; the purport or drift

The lowest female singing voice

One who sings this part.

Of or being the lowest female voice

An instrument that sounds within this range.

A vocal or instrumental part written within this range.

(music) A musical range or section higher than bass and lower than alto.

A person, instrument, or group that performs in the tenor higher than bass and lower than alto range.

A musical part or section that holds or performs the main melody, as opposed to the contratenor bassus and contratenor altus, who perform countermelodies.

The lowest tuned in a ring of bells.

Tone, as of a conversation.

(obsolete) duration; continuance; a state of holding on in a continuous course; general tendency; career.

(linguistics) The subject in a metaphor to which attributes are ascribed.

(finance) Time to maturity of a bond.

Stamp; character; nature.

(legal) An exact copy of a writing, set forth in the words and figures of it. It differs from purport, which is only the substance or general import of the instrument.

That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding.

A tenor saxophone.

Of or pertaining to the tenor part or range.

A state of holding on in a continuous course; manner of continuity; constant mode; general tendency; course; career.

That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding.

Stamp; character; nature.

An exact copy of a writing, set forth in the words and figures of it. It differs from purport, which is only the substance or general import of the instrument.

The pitch range of the highest male voice

Pervading note of an utterance;

(of a musical instrument) intermediate between alto and baritone or bass;

Contraltos typically sing from the F below middle C to the second F above, while tenors range from the C below middle C to the A above.

A contralto voice is the lowest female singing voice, known for its deep, rich tone.

Tenors are prized for their ability to project emotionally expressive and bright tones, often taking on heroic or romantic lead roles.

Yes, contraltos can and sometimes do sing male roles, especially in certain baroque operas where their range and timbre suit the parts.

Composers often write tenor roles that showcase the voice’s versatility, emotional range, and dramatic high notes, making it a central feature of many operatic and musical theatre works.

While the contralto repertoire is more limited compared to other voice types, it is rich and varied, highlighting the unique qualities of the voice.

Due to the rarity of the contralto voice and the specific qualities it possesses, finding roles that adequately showcase its depth and richness can be challenging.

The tenor voice stands out for its brightness, range, and the dramatic impact of its high notes, setting it apart from lower male voices like baritones and basses.

A tenor voice is the highest male singing voice, valued for its brightness and ability to effortlessly reach high notes.

Contraltos are often cast in roles that require depth and emotional richness, often portraying mature or dramatic characters.