Altino

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Altino is also the modern name of the city of the Venetii, north of the Venetian lagoon, Altinum. For the commune in the Abruzzo region of Italy, see Altino (commune).

The altino, essentially a male contralto, is a rare male voice type, commonly considered the "true" countertenor. This person can sing high without falsetto that the usual male passagio. Typically, this rare voice has problems reaching depths of even low C unlike most men, and usually has an androgynous tone, even when speaking. The typical altino will speak normally between the range of F# and B below Middle C, more in keeping a female than a typical male, whose speaking voice settles closer to low C. An even rarer full voice can sing tenor and female contralto (or even mezzo-soprano) parts with equal ease.

The altino is very rare and may owe its existence in part to low testosterone levels or disorders like Klinefelter's syndrone.