mezzo-soprano

[ met-soh-suh-pran-oh, -prah-noh, med-zoh-, mez-oh- ]

noun

, plural mez·zo-so·pran·os, mez·zo-so·pran·i [met, -soh-s, uh, -, pran, -ee, -, prah, -nee, med, -zoh-, mez, -oh-].

1. a voice or voice part intermediate in compass between soprano and contralto.
2. a person having such a voice.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable to a mezzo-soprano.

mezzo-soprano

noun

1. a female voice intermediate between a soprano and contralto and having a range from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above it Sometimes shortened tomezzo
2. a singer with such a voice

mezzo soprano

1. A range of the female singing voice lower than soprano and higher than alto .

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezzo-soprano¹

Borrowed into English from Italian around 1745–55

Example Sentences

These brief excerpts from “Carmen,” featuring mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb, had an arresting degree of vivacity and lust that would be hard to match.

From Los Angeles Times

Today’s soloist, mezzo-soprano Sarabeth Belón, is sitting in front, and usher Alvin Bernard takes a position in the back, ready to hand programs to late arrivals.

From Los Angeles Times

The two-person song cycle co-stars mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel.

From Los Angeles Times

The Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina only just turned 28.

From New York Times

Three countertenors have been cast, including as Julius Caesar, a vocally demanding role often given to a mezzo-soprano.

From New York Times