Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. An adult male voice with a range above that of tenor.
- n. A singer having a voice within this range.
Wiktionary
- n. a part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part
- n. adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range
WordNet 3.0
- adj. of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor
- n. a male singer with a voice above that of a tenor
- n. the highest adult male singing voice
Etymologies
- counter- + tenor (Wiktionary)
Examples
“The world of the countertenor is a weird, high-pitched place, where the possibilities of the male voice are pushed to Bee Gees extremities.”
“His countertenor is a firm instrument, and he uses it remarkably well.”
“There are many special people that deserve to be recognised for their efforts and achievements in the community," said Greg whose voice - known as a countertenor - is similar in range to that of a female mezzo-soprano such as the award-winning singer Katherine Jenkins.”
“The following decade saw a marked increase in productions of Handel operas in mainstream U.S. houses, Mr. Daniels became a superstar here and abroad, and "countertenor" became a desirable voice type for young singers pursuing operatic careers.”
“David Daniels, the well-regarded countertenor, receives enthusiastic ovations wherever he performs.”
“Daniels remains the gold standard of our time for a pure-toned countertenor.”
The Huffington Post: Rodney Punt: Griselda in Peter Sellars Production at Santa Fe Opera
“Jason Abrams, replacing Mr. Daniels as Roberto, has a high, bright countertenor voice; though understandably tentative, he acquitted himself well.”
“Yuri Minenko brought an assured, lyrical countertenor to Corrado.”
“Unfortunately, the countertenor David Daniels, the production's marquee singer and baroque-opera style expert, was ill on opening night, and none of the other singers displayed very exciting mastery of ornamentation.”
“But with subtle details, countertenor Ryland Angel and the Trinity violins, led by concertmaster Robert Mealy who was key to the spirit of this performance, turned it into a nuanced picture of the Passion of Christ.”
The Wall Street Journal: Tracing the Gospel With Renewed Vigor and Drama
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘countertenor’.
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Words describing singing voices
mellifluous, gravelly, rusty bathtub, velvet fog, howling, laconic, fluttering, quavery, hypnotic, stilted, lilting, sonorous and 47 more...
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pretentious words i have used or hope...
a list of pretentious words i have used or hope to use when discussing operas because they make me feel like i am considerably more knowledgeable about opera than i actually am.
pulchritudinous, divina, libretto, diegetic, syncretism, mezzo-soprano, contralto, coloratura, tenor, baritone, bass-baritone, bass and 42 more...
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The Medley of Me
A jumble of words, sometimes contradictory, that add up to me. I'll probably be adding to this list for some time, because I'm a very complex individual. ;P
male, long-haired, big-eyed, writer, artist, guitarist, songsmith, talespinner, pilot, wannabe barnstormer, gypsy, cuddlesome and 209 more...
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counter-
opposite; contrary to
counterclockwise, counterplot, counterpart, counterpoint, countertenor, counterproductive
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Beautiful Music
a cappella, accelerando, accompagnato, adagio, ad libitum, agitato, aleatory, alla breve, allegro, allemande, alto, andante and 548 more...
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Just 'cause I like 'em, C
cryptoxanthin, convent, calcar, chuckle, campanile, covet, complexion, campestral, chirography, counterscarp, caliginous, catabolism and 722 more...
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A Night at the Opera
Opera terminology.
sitzprobe, claque, maestro, impresario, divo, diva, spinto, bel canto, falsetto, parlando, pants role, trouser role and 50 more...
Tweets
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