mezzo-soprano

[met-soh-suh-pran-oh, -prah-noh, med-zoh-, mez-oh-] /ˈmɛt soʊ səˈpræn oʊ, -ˈprɑ noʊ, ˈmɛd zoʊ-, ˈmɛz oʊ-/
noun, plural mezzo-sopranos, mezzo-soprani
[met-soh-suh-pran-ee, -prah-nee, med-zoh-, mez-oh-] /ˈmɛt soʊ səˈpræn i, -ˈprɑ ni, ˈmɛd zoʊ-, ˈmɛz oʊ-/ (Show IPA)
1.
a voice or voice part intermediate in compass between soprano and contralto.
2.
a person having such a voice.
adjective
3.
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable to a mezzo-soprano.
Origin
1745-55; < Italian
Examples from the web for mezzo-soprano
  • She now sings a wide variety of parts, from mezzo-soprano to alto and even tenor, if needed.
  • She is graced with a pleas ant mezzo-soprano voice and has rendered a number of ballads at the hotel in a clever style.
  • She gave the song in a sweet mezzo-soprano voice, rich and silvery in tone and tilling every part of the hall.
British Dictionary definitions for mezzo-soprano

mezzo-soprano

noun (pl) -nos
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 to mezzo
2.
a singer with such a voice
Word Origin and History for mezzo-soprano
n.

1753; see mezzo + soprano.

Encyclopedia Article for mezzo-soprano

(Italian: "half-soprano"), in vocal music the range between the soprano (q.v.) and the alto, usually encompassing the A below middle C and the second F or G above middle C. The term is often abbreviated to "mezzo."

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