Page "Contralto" Paragraph 2

Within the category of contraltos are three generally recognized subcategories — coloratura contralto, lyric contralto, and dramatic contralto — that usefully describe the voice type in general terms.

Note, however, that they do not always apply with precision to individual singers ; some exceptional dramatic contraltos, such as Ernestine Schumann-Heink and Sigrid Onégin, were technically equipped to perform not only heavy, dramatic music by the likes of Wagner but also florid compositions by Donizetti.