mezzo-soprano

A mezzo-soprano (/ˈmɛtsəʊ/ in English, but /ˈmɛddzo/ in Italian) (meaning "medium" or "middle" "soprano" in Italian) is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above (i.e. A₃-A₅ in scientific pitch notation, where middle C = C₄). In the lower and upper extremes, some mezzo-sopranos may extend down to the G below middle C (G3) and as high as "high C" (C6).^[1]

While mezzo-sopranos generally have a heavier, darker tone than sopranos, the mezzo-soprano voice resonates in a higher range than that of a contralto. The terms Dugazon and Galli-Marié are sometimes used to refer to light mezzo-sopranos, after the names of famous singers. A castrato with a vocal range equivalent to a mezzo-soprano's range is referred to as a mezzo-soprano castrato or mezzista. Today, however, only women should be referred to as mezzo-sopranos, and men singing within the female range should be called countertenors.^[2] In current operatic practice, female singers with very low tessituras are often included among mezzo-sopranos, because singers in both ranges are able to cover the other, and true operatic contraltos are very rare.^[1] For information regarding non-classical mezzo-sopranos see Voice classification in non-classical music.

Those wishing to hear the difference in tonal colouration between, say, a dramatic mezzo-soprano and a genuine contralto of 'the old school' can compare, for example, the recordings of Ebe Stignani with those of the deeper voiced, 'chestier' Sigrid Onegin.

Mezzo-sopranos typically sing secondary roles in operas, with the protagonist in Bizet's Carmen (also sung by sopranos) and Rosina in Rossini's Barber of Seville (also sung by sopranos) as the most notable exceptions. Typical roles for mezzo-sopranos include the stereotypical triad of "witches, bitches, and britches"^[3]: witches, nurses, and wise women such as Azucena in Verdi's Il trovatore; villains and seductresses such as Amneris in Verdi's Aida; and "trouser" characters (male characters played by female singers) such as Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. Mezzo-sopranos are also well represented in baroque music, early music and baroque opera.^[1]

Some roles designated for lighter soubrette sopranos are sung by mezzo sopranos, who often provide a fuller, more dramatic quality. Such roles include Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte and Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni.^[4] Mezzos also sometimes play dramatic soprano roles such as Santuzza in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, Lady Macbeth in Verdi's Macbeth, and Kundry in Wagner's Parsifal.^[5]

In general mezzos are broken down into three categories: Coloratura mezzo-sopranos, Lyric mezzo-soprano, and Dramatic mezzo-sopranos.

Coloratura mezzo-soprano

A coloratura mezzo-soprano has a warm lower register and an agile high register. The roles they sing often demand not only the use of the lower register but also leaps into the upper tessitura with highly ornamented, rapid passages. They have a range from approximately the G (G3) below middle C to the B two octaves above middle C (B5). Some coloratura mezzo-sopranos can sing up to high C (C6) or high D (D6), but this is very rare.^[1] What distinguishes these voices from being called sopranos is their extension into the lower register and warmer vocal quality. Although coloratura mezzo-sopranos have impressive and at times thrilling high notes, they are most comfortable singing in the middle of their range, rather than the top.^[5]

Many of the hero roles in the operas of Handel and Monteverdi, originally sung by male castrati, can be successfully sung today by coloratura mezzo-sopranos. Rossini demanded similar qualities for his comic heroines, and Vivaldi wrote roles frequently for this voice as well. Coloratura mezzo-sopranos also often sing lyric-mezzo soprano roles or soubrette roles.^[4]

• To hear an example of a Coloratura mezzo-soprano (Cecilia Bartoli as Costanza, in Vivaldi's Griselda) click on the link below:

• Watch here

Coloratura mezzo-soprano roles in opera and operettas^[5]