Literary notes about Alto (AI summary)
The word "alto" appears to be remarkably versatile in literature, functioning both as an adjective denoting physical or metaphorical height and as a musical term signifying a particular vocal or instrumental register. In poetic works like Dante’s Divine Comedy, "alto" evokes images of elevated cities, lofty seats, or high paths, underscoring a sense of grandeur and transcendence ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]). Meanwhile, in musical and technical contexts, "alto" refers to voice types or instrument ranges—from the counter-tenor to the alto trumpet—emphasizing auditory rather than spatial height ([7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]). In Spanish texts, the term is employed both to describe elevated physical positions and a commanding or distinct mode of expression ([13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]). This rich semantic field highlights "alto" as a term that seamlessly spans the realms of poetry, music, and everyday description.
- In tutte parti impera e quivi regge; quivi e` la sua citta` e l'alto seggio:
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - Traemmoci cosi` da l'un de' canti, in loco aperto, luminoso e alto, si` che veder si potien tutti quanti.
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - Cosi` li dissi; e poi che mosso fue, intrai per lo cammino alto e silvestro.
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - O muse, o alto ingegno, or m'aiutate; o mente che scrivesti cio` ch'io vidi, qui si parra` la tua nobilitate.
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - Non e` sanza cagion l'andare al cupo: vuolsi ne l'alto, la` dove Michele fe' la vendetta del superbo strupo>>.
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - Giustizia mosse il mio alto fattore: fecemi la divina podestate, la somma sapienza e 'l primo amore.
— from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri - The alto, or counter-tenor , is not a natural voice, but a development of the falsetto .
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - Alto, in music, the highest singing voice of a male adult, the lowest of a boy or a woman, being in the latter the same as contralto .
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - The Christmas Night 78-80 —Alto and Tenor.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - In this manner the tenors sing in the soprano octave, the 1 st basses in the alto octave and the 2 nd basses are independent.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - This example affords an instance of the rare use of the alto clef (in the last few notes).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - 2. Alto trumpet (in F ).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Llegó mi turno y saqué el número más alto.
— from A First Spanish Reader by Alfred Remy and Erwin W. Roessler - 8 16 desde más alto : 'from a higher position.'
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - El inmenso cielo sin nubes parecía agrandarse más y alejarse de la tierra para 15 verla y en su contemplación recrearse desde más alto.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - Él habla alto y distintamente.
— from A First Spanish Reader by Alfred Remy and Erwin W. Roessler - 14 26 en lo más alto : 'at the highest point.'
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - —Bueno, súbeme hasta lo alto de la escalera.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós