Jump to:

• mezzo-soprano
  mezzo-soprano

  noun

  a voice or voice part intermediate in compass between soprano and contralto.
• mezzo soprano
  mezzo soprano

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

mezzo-soprano

American  

[met-soh-suh-pran-oh, -prah-noh, med-zoh-, mez-oh-] / ˈmɛt soʊ səˈpræn oʊ, -ˈprɑ noʊ, ˈmɛd zoʊ-, ˈmɛz oʊ- /

noun

mezzo-sopranos, plural mezzo-soprani plural

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 British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: mezzo.  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

2. a singer with such a voice

---

mezzo soprano Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of mezzo-soprano

Borrowed into English from Italian around 1745–55

Explanation

In classical music, a mezzo-soprano is the second-highest singing voice. While they don't sing the very highest notes, mezzo-sopranos reach higher registers than contraltos. In Italian, mezzo means "middle," and soprano, "the treble in music," is from a root meaning "above." Mezzo-sopranos are right in the middle, between soprano and contralto voices. Classical music lovers describe mezzo-sopranos as sounding darker and richer than the brighter, higher tone of a soprano. If you want be an opera or choral singer but you can't quite reach those high notes, you may be a mezzo-soprano!

Example Sentences

For celebrated US mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, taking on the piece at the current time was necessary.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

“I’m always a little saddened when one artist dismisses another’s art form as dead,” said Jamie Barton, a Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

The four soloists — soprano Pretty Yende, mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino, tenor SeokJong Baek and bass Nicholas Brownlee — were needfully robust and powerful.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

The moment took place after the mezzo-soprano performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert in 2022.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

Liszt's psalm "O Salutaris" for mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra, given by the Symphony Society in New York City, with Marianne Brandt as soloist.

From Annals of Music in America A Chronological Record of Significant Musical Events by Lahee, Henry Charles