contralto

The cliché applied to contralto voices is “plummy” and Heynis offers its reverse, a sort of lean, emotional essentialism in a deep and beautiful voice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s home is being renamed Marian Anderson Hall in honor of the pioneering Black American contralto, a rare case of an artist’s name replacing a corporation.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2024

In 1998, British producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling pioneered its modern usage by making Cher’s velvety contralto pixelate and reconstitute over and over, measure by measure, making history.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2023

Tina Turner's husky contralto and raunchy stage presence made her one of the best-known singers of her generation.

From BBC ● May 24, 2023

Closing her eyes, Marian Anderson began to sing, and her thrilling contralto voice carried across the Mall, touching every person who had come to hear her.

From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman

Stutzmann, who for three decades was among the world’s leading contraltos before she turned fully to conducting, said during an interview the next day.

From New York Times ● Oct. 5, 2022

She became one of the industry’s best-known contraltos — the female singers with the lowest vocal range — touring widely and making more than 80 recordings.

From New York Times ● Oct. 13, 2021

Her voice was not as powerful as that of some of the other famous Italian contraltos and mezzos, but it was immediately recognisable.

From The Guardian ● May 7, 2010

Long recognized as one of the world's leading contraltos, Forrester, 36, earns $100,000 a year singing classical songs at $2,500 a performance.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was easier for Chester to play the ones written for tenors than the ones for sopranos, contraltos, and basses, but he did them all beautifully.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden