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10 Best Contralto Singers Of All Time   

They say that the human voice is the most magnificent instrument of all. It can evoke emotions, paint vivid landscapes of sound, and transcend the boundaries of language and culture. In a world with different voices and a wide range of vocal talent, contralto singers are the rarest of the female voice types, but they possess a unique and haunting sound that is unlike any other.  

Their voices are rich, dark, and powerful, with a range that extends from F#3 to F5. These Contraltos singers stay in their chest voice for songs and have a lower vocal break point. This means that their vocal register changes from chest to head voice at a lower note, thus they can’t sing mezzo songs comfortably. 

We all know the deepest rivers flow the quietest, and so it is with contralto voices. They are versatile and can perform in a variety of genres. Here are the 10 best contralto singers of all time. 

1. Marian Anderson (1897 – 1993) 

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Marian Anderson was a contralto singer who used to perform a wide range of music, from opera to spirituals, to renowned orchestras in major concert and recital venues throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965. 

Anderson was a gifted singer with a rich, dark voice and a wide vocal range. She was also a powerful advocate for civil rights and was the first African American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was an inspiration to singers of all races. 

Some of her songs include Ave Maria, My Lord What a Morning, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, and Deep River. 

2. Nina Simone (1933 – 2003)  

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Nina Simone was an iconic contralto singer, pianist, and civil rights activist, whose voice was a gift that she used to create beautiful and moving music. Her singing voice was rich, and velvety, and could convey a wide range of emotions. 

Nina could sing a wide range of genres including jazz, blues, gospel, and folk, and her deep, soulful voice was a defining feature of her performances. Her songs often carried strong messages of social and civil rights activism, making her a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. 

Mississippi Goddam, Feeling Good, Young, Gifted and Black, Strange Fruit, and I Put a Spell on You were some of her songs.  

3. Sonia Prina 

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Born in Magenta, Italy, in 1975, Sonia Prina is an award-winning Italian contralto singer who is one of the leading and highly respected opera singers. She has been praised for her vocal technique, her stage presence, and her ability to bring a wide range of characters to life. 

She has performed in various operas and oratorios, taking on roles written for contralto voice types. Some of her most acclaimed roles include interpretations of Handel’s operas such as Ariodante, Giulio Cesare, and Rinaldo. 

4. Cher  

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With one of the most distinctive and recognizable voices in the world, Cher, who was born in the 1940s, is one of the most successful contralto singers of all time. Her voice is not only powerful and expressive but also incredibly versatile, allowing her to sing a variety of genres, from pop and rock to ballads and country. 

Cher sings with a deep and rich tone, and her voice has a commanding presence to it. She is an inspiration to singers of all voice types, and her music continues to entertain and inspire fans around the world. Strong Enough, Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, and If I Could Turn Back Time are some of her songs. 

5. Gladys Knight 

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Known as the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight is a celebrated Contralto singer who was born in the 1940s and has a powerful and soulful voice. She became famous as the lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & the Pips, a group that achieved great success in the 60s and 70s decade.  

With her strong lower-pitched voice, Gladys gave powerful and emotive performances thanks to her captivating stage presence. She is one of the greatest soul singers of all time and Midnight Train to Georgia, I’ve Got to Use My Imagination, The Way We Were, and Neither One of Us are some of her songs. 

6. Billie Holiday (1915 – 1959) 

Better known as ‘Lady Day’, Billie Holiday was a contralto singer who was one of the most iconic vocalists in the history of jazz thanks to her beautiful voice. Her singing style was characterized by a deep emotional expressiveness, a sense of vulnerability, and an ability to convey profound emotions through her music.  

Holiday’s singing and her phrasing plus her interpretation of songs were unparalleled, having a uniquely velvety tone that set her apart from other singers of her time. Strange Fruit, God Bless the Child, and Good Morning Heartache were some of her songs. 

7. Amy Winehouse (1983 – 2011) 

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Known for her hoarse and smoky but also lovely and exciting voice, Amy Winehouse was a British contralto singer whose talent and artistry left a lasting impact on the music industry. Amy could belt out all kinds of low notes with ease, and her voice was very flexible like a singer’s should be. This is why she was comfortable singing different genres from jazz to soul and R&B.  

Another good thing about her voice was that she was able to establish a strong emotional connection with audiences thanks to its strength and vulnerability. Her distinctive tone helped her stand out from other singers. Rehab, Back to Black, and You Know I’m No Good were some of her songs. 

8. Toni Braxton  

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Born in Maryland in the 1960s, Toni Braxton is a contralto singer whose voice has a sultry, smoky quality and can sing in the lower registers with power and resonance. She knows how to control her voice very well, which is impressive because it has a commanding presence to it and it’s also very expressive, enabling her to convey a wide range of emotions through her singing.  

Un-Break My Heart, You’re Makin’ Me High, He Wasn’t Man Enough, Breathe Again, and Talking in His Sleep are some of her songs. 

9. Tracy Chapman  

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Born in 1964, Tracy Chapman is another iconic contralto singer. Her voice is rich, dark, and soulful, with a wide range and a unique smoky tone. She has used her voice to create some of the most beautiful and powerful songs in music history. Her voice has a vocal range that comfortably covers the lower and mid-range notes. Her deep voice is also very expressive, meaning she can convey a wide range of emotions through her singing.  

Combined with her awesome guitar playing, and beautiful storytelling in her lyrics, her contralto voice is what makes her music very captivating and easy to listen to. Fast Car, Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, and Give Me One Reason are some of her songs. 

10. Anita Baker 

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Born in the late 1950s, Anita Baker is a famous contralto singer who has a beautiful deep, and smoky voice. Her vocal style is not only powerful and expressive, but it is also incredibly versatile. She can sing a variety of genres, from R&B and soul to jazz and pop.  

Baker has also mastered the art of storytelling over the years, and her lyrics are often deep, meaningful, and moving. Her live performances are quite entertaining. Sweet Love, Caught Up in the Rapture, Giving You the Best That I Got, No One in the World, Talk to Me, and Body and Soul are some of her songs. 

Those are the 10 best contralto singers of all time. These singers are the gems, or should we say the forces of nature that are capable of moving hearts, transcending genres, and standing the test of time. As the saying goes, where sopranos reach for the heavens, contraltos explore the hidden depths of the human heart.