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Meaning of countertenor | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
  2. A male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range.
  3. A part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part.

Equivalents

Deutsch Countertenor
Español contratenor
Suomi kontratenori
Français contreténor
Italiano contraltista
Polski kontratenor
Português contratenor
Русский контрте́нор

Examples

“The term countertenor first appeared in England during the mid 17th century. However, the style of singing originated in Elizabethan cathedral choirs, eventually falling out of favour during the Romantic period.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

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