mezza voce

[ met-suh voh-chey, med-zuh, mez-uh ]

adverb

1. with half the power of the voice (used as a musical direction). : m.v.

mezza voce

/ ˈmɛtsə ˈvəʊtʃɪ; ˈmɛddza ˈvotʃe /

adverb

1. music (in singing) softly; quietly

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezza voce¹

Borrowed into English from Italian around 1765–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezza voce¹

Italian, literally: half voice

Example Sentences

The young singer should practice mezza voce, which simply means nothing more or less than "half voice."

From Project Gutenberg

Take her mezza voce and her phrasing in the second act of Monna Vanna, take them and bow down before them.

From Project Gutenberg

Francesco has a mezza voce, which might, by a stretch of politeness, be called baritone.

From Project Gutenberg

While studying an application he sang, mezza voce, the aria from Pagliacci.

From Project Gutenberg

Of this we may be sure, that no one can sing a good full tone unless he can sing a good mezza voce.

From Project Gutenberg