Voice type C). In the lower and upper extremes some contralto voices can sing from D3 (the D below middle C) to B5 (the second B-flat above), one whole step short of the soprano "high C". Contralto tessitura: The contralto voice has the lowest tessitura of the female voices. Contralto subtypes: Contraltos are often broken down into three subcategories: coloratura contralto, lyric contralto, and dramatic contralto. A soprano sfogato is a contralto who has an extended high range reaching the soprano "high C". Countertenor range: The countertenor is the highest male voice. Many countertenor singers perform roles originally written for a castrato
The Singing Voice of Japan The Singing Voice of Japan The singing voice of Japan (, "Nihon no Utagoe" / うたごえ運動, "Utagoe-undō") is the name of a social and political movement that emerged after World War II in Japan and based on musical and choral activities of the working class of the entire nation. On the ideological position of communism or democratic socialism, activists of the movement organize choral circles in factories, in schools and in their residential areas. The movement reached its peak in the years 1950–60. Japanese singer Akiko Seki () is generally regarded as the founder of the Singing Voice of Japan.