countertenor

[koun-ter-ten-er]

noun

Music.

1. an adult male voice or voice part higher than the tenor.

2. a singer with such a voice; a high tenor.

countertenor

/ ˌkaʊntəˈtɛnə /

noun

1. an adult male voice with an alto range

2. a singer with such a voice

Word History and Origins

Origin of countertenor¹

1350–1400; Middle English cownturenur, apparently < Anglo-French; compare Middle French contreteneur, Old Italian contratenore, equivalent to contra- contra- ² ( def. ) + tenore tenor

Example Sentences

Three countertenors have been cast, including as Julius Caesar, a vocally demanding role often given to a mezzo-soprano.

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Both that darkness and light are embraced in the choreographer Mark Morris’s 2007 production, which is being revived at the Metropolitan Opera starring the countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.

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Anthony Roth Costanzo was hired Thursday as general director and president of Opera Philadelphia and will continue his career as a leading countertenor while taking over an ambitious company dealing with post-pandemic economic challenges.

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Anthony Roth Costanzo, the celebrated American countertenor who is one of opera’s biggest stars, will lead Opera Philadelphia as its next general director and president, the company announced on Thursday.

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Thirty minutes long, and scored for a big orchestra, countertenor soloist, children’s choir, broad battery of percussion, electric guitar and pair of synthesizers, “Hippogriff” is not so easily dismissed.

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Related Words

• falsetto