A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Alto (instrument)

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From volume 1 of the work.

1502447A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Alto (instrument)George Grove


ALTO is also the Italian term for the tenor violin, called alto, or alto di viola, as distinguished from basso di viola, because, before the invention, or at least before the general adoption of the violin, it used to take the highest part in compositions for string-instruments, corresponding to the soprano part in vocal music. For further particulars see Viola.

[ P. D. ]