classical contralto recommendations?

[Strix adorabilis]

When I audition for the philharmonic chorus in April, I would like to sing something that the people auditioning me have heard before. I wish I could sing "Signs of the Zodiac" by Rasputina, "The Sacrifice" by Symphony X, "Evening Star" by Týr, or "Ohne Dich" by Rammstein, but such is the music industry.

So I welcome your input! I've been singing in classical choruses for over ten years, and therefore most of the music I know is for groups, not soloists. But if you know of a fantastic work for contralto or tenor, let's hear it! Or at least find out the name of it and who wrote it... whee Thanks in advance!

[Sionja]

Well, there's not much true "contralto" literature out there, but if you're trained, there's always Rossini's heroines and basically anyone in Massenet's Cendrillon. Also, Handel wrote a lot for tenors and countertenors, so you could go with one of his standards. (Ombra mai fu from Xerxes is frequently done but absolutely stunning when done well.) There's also some great mezzo rep from his Messiah that everyone knows (He shall feed His flock is also wonderful).

Edit: Also, most art song is available in several keys, as well as the 24 (or 26) Italian Songs and Arias books, which are great starting places and well known tunes. You can't go wrong with a little Schubert or Gluck. It really depends on your level of training and what strengths you want to play up.

[Whom]

Yeah, I second "Ombra Mai Fu" and anything from "Messiah," those are very popular contralto pieces. I'd suggest going on YouTube and looking for anything by Marian Anderson, Kathleen Ferrier, and Ewa Podles and see if you find something you would want to sing, they're great contraltos.

Also, if you're female, keep in mind that a tenor singing a metal song is probably singing in the highest part of his voice, and if you sang it in the same key you would be singing in a lower part of your voice. That means that you'll be missing some of the "oomph" that a tenor would get.

[Strix adorabilis]

Whom

Yeah, I second "Ombra Mai Fu" and anything from "Messiah," those are very popular contralto pieces. I'd suggest going on YouTube and looking for anything by Marian Anderson, Kathleen Ferrier, and Ewa Podles and see if you find something you would want to sing, they're great contraltos.

Also, if you're female, keep in mind that a tenor singing a metal song is probably singing in the highest part of his voice, and if you sang it in the same key you would be singing in a lower part of your voice. That means that you'll be missing some of the "oomph" that a tenor would get.

My mother actually got me a Ferrier CD for Xmas because she really wants me to sing Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. (I have yet to listen to it.)

I am female, but my comfortable range runs from low C to high A, with higher notes easily attained with head voice. Two years ago I wanted to sing "Every valley shall be exalted" from Messiah, but my choir director (playing as audition coach) pretty much said, "It sounds great, but that's a *really* popular piece and other tenors auditioning might sing it as well."

As for metal singers, I dunno, Heri Joensen (Týr) and Russell Allen (Symphony X) have phenomenal ranges/voices. ^_^ Till Lindemann (Rammstein) however, is definitely a bass.