ALTOS!!

[tjwmason]

Am I alone in thinking that the sound of a male-alto is pure and utter perfection? Admittedly, it's an entirely 'false' voice in that it's always trained and artificial - but every time I hear a good one I go weak at the knees.

Christophe Dumaux - whom I heard sing Ptolemy in Handel's Giulio Cesare (and instantly fell in love with):


Andreas Scholl - who is just beyond imagination:



Ok this is a copycat - but every word I've written is true.

[FuzzySlippers]

1. How does a male alto differ from a counter-tenor?

Are they higher or lower?

[tjwmason]

3. Broadly speaking they're synonyms.

But I thought ALTOS!! made a better copy-cat for a thread called SOPRANOS!!

I know in a choral setting, it is more normal to call them altos. I've known them get fussy about which is used (on both sides) - but in reality one can pick either depending on mood.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. I still remember college choral concerts with guest countertenors

We in the chorus would love to anticipate the audience reaction the first time the countertenor sang.
:rofl:

[tjwmason]

4. It is definitely a sound one has to get used to.

People's reactions are very funny when they first encounter it. :rofl: