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Glite Dictionary
🎤 A high male singer 🎶 High male voice
countertenor

countertenor

8.3
Having a very high male singing voice like an alto
  • adjective
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌtɛnər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contratenor
  • The composer wrote an aria specifically for a countertenor voice.

Examples

  • His countertenor performance captivated the entire audience.

  • He was cast as the lead due to his remarkable countertenor range.

  • His countertenor voice was the highlight of the concert, showcasing a unique blend of power and clarity.

  • She enjoys listening to countertenor singers who can reach notes that most male voices cannot.

  • The choir included a countertenor, adding a rich layer to the harmonies that delighted the audience.

How High

countertenor
  • Specialized
8.3
tenor
30 4.2
baritone
22 4.5
bass
1 4.1

Surface Forms

countertenor positive

Morphology

countertenor = tenor (semi-transparent) = counter + tenor

The form is clearly built from counter- + tenor, but the specialized musical sense is conventional rather than fully predictable for learners.

Etymology

Countertenor as an adjective comes from the parts counter- 'against' and tenor, a male voice. So a countertenor voice means a range that sits 'against' or above the tenor and is high for a man, often sounding like an alto.