countertenors
High male voices
Countertenors are male singers who use falsetto or a naturally high voice to sing in the alto or mezzo-soprano range—above the typical tenor register.
The voice type is associated especially with early music and baroque opera, where such parts were originally written for castrati.
The countertenor's voice soared above the choir.
Excessively ornate or elaborate
- HandelBaroque composer of oratorios
- PurcellDido's operatic creator
- VivaldiBaroque composer from Venice
- madrigalUnaccompanied Renaissance choral composition
motet · art song · oratorio · recitative · aria · bel canto · early music · Renaissance
Artificially elevated singing register
- altoLower female voice
- head voiceUpper singing register
- chest voiceSinging from the ribcage
- timbreSound's distinctive character
vibrato · pitch · resonance · tessitura · passaggio · coloratura · legato · vocalization
Organized group of singers
- choralOf group singing
- consortRoyal spouse
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
divisi · ensemble · homophony · a cappella · chamber choir · vocal quartet · cathedral choir · blending
Operatic solo piece
- librettoOpera's written words
- performanceCarrying out a task
- stagingPreparing for presentation
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
bel canto · premiere · conductor · orchestra · coloratura · Orlando · Xerxes
Seldom occurring or found
- unusualNot often encountered
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- specializedAdapted for particular function
unique · novelty · remarkable · singular · unconventional · atypical · scarce · sought-after
Emasculated male vocalist
- Baroque eraOrnate artistic period, 1600-1750
- revivalReturn after decline
baroque
Excessively ornate or elaborate
- HandelBaroque composer of oratorios
- PurcellDido's operatic creator
- VivaldiBaroque composer from Venice
madrigal · motet · art song · oratorio · recitative · aria · bel canto · early music · Renaissance · Monteverdi
falsetto
Artificially elevated singing register
- altoLower female voice
- head voiceUpper singing register
- chest voiceSinging from the ribcage
timbre · vibrato · pitch · resonance · tessitura · passaggio · coloratura · legato · vocalization · harmonics
choir
Organized group of singers
polyphony · divisi · ensemble · homophony · a cappella · chamber choir · vocal quartet · cathedral choir · blending · voicing
aria
Operatic solo piece
- librettoOpera's written words
- performanceCarrying out a task
- stagingPreparing for presentation
recitative · bel canto · premiere · conductor · orchestra · coloratura · Orlando · Xerxes
uncommon
Seldom occurring or found
- unusualNot often encountered
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
specialized · unique · novelty · remarkable · singular · unconventional · atypical · scarce · sought-after · niche
castrato
Emasculated male vocalist
- Baroque eraOrnate artistic period, 1600-1750
- revivalReturn after decline
countertenorsbasses
Low-pitched voices or fish
bassos · baritones · contrabasses · tenors