Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Alto

Alto. At the commencement of the present century the alto of the female voice was unknown here ; the part, when made use of; being sustained by men. Old singing books will accordingly show you the alto written in counter tenor upon the high notes of the staff, an octave above where it now stands for the female voice. It may be added that the contralto part, of which the first effective employment was made by Rossini in duets for two female voices, within this period, is said to have been brought into favor by Grassini, the celebrated friend of the more celebrated Grisi, and by whom the latter was encouraged to-follow the path which led to her fame. - ''Dwight's Jour. Music''.