countertenor

noun

coun·​ter·​ten·​or ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌte-nər How to pronounce countertenor (audio)
: a tenor with an unusually high range (such as an alto range)

Examples of countertenor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Our movie is about Klaus Nomi, the German countertenor that became a cult figure in 1980s New York and died, far too soon, as one of the first victims of AIDS. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 The countertenor turned conductor Raphaël Pichon, in a magnificent new recording of Monteverdi’s work with the Pygmalion ensemble, on the Harmonia Mundi label, elicits an organically pulsing, sumptuously colored sound, emblematic of his vital approach to early-music repertory. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2023 The opera featured a beguiling underworld Greta Garbo impersonator named Leonardo (beautifully sung by countertenor Key’mon W. Murrah) and the ballet included numerous variations of Frida — roles that were all danced by men. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2023 The conductor is Raphaël Pichon, a countertenor from France. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Aug. 2023 Rather than relying on falsetto as a countertenor would, Mariño, 28, is able to comfortably sing high notes with his chest voice. New York Times, 27 May 2022 Soloists were soprano Audrey Luna, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, tenor Herbert Lippert and baritone Sean Michael Plumb. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023 Among those who danced and sang with Batiste were tap dancer Ayodele Casel; countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo; and a band that included Endea Owens on bass, Bria Skonberg on trumpet, Joe Saylor and Nêgah Santos on percussion, John Altieri on sousaphone and Tivon Pennicott on sax. Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2021 Daniel Bubeck was a rather hooty version of a countertenor — and there’s little evidence that Bach had his alto solos sung by falsettists, as opposed to boys. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 1 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'countertenor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countretenour part balancing the tenor, from Middle French contreteneur, from contre- + teneur tenor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of countertenor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near countertenor

Cite this Entry

“Countertenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countertenor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

countertenor

noun
coun·​ter·​ten·​or ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌten-ər How to pronounce countertenor (audio)
: a tenor with an unusually high range

More from Merriam-Webster on countertenor

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