The haute-contre is regarded by some authorities as similar to, or indeed identical with, the voice-type described in Italian as tenore contraltino. Although not unknown at an earlier date (for example the title-role in Mozart's Mitridate), roles for this voice were particularly numerous at the beginning of the nineteenth century: for example Lindoro in Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri or Rodrigo in Otello.
Experts consider the haute-contre to be akin to or possibly identical with the Italian tenore contraltino voice type. While not unheard of earlier (such as the title role in Mozart's Mitridate), this voice was particularly prevalent at the beginning of the nineteenth century, exemplified by roles like Lindoro in Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri and Rodrigo in Otello.