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

plural

mezzo-sopranos, mezzo-soprani

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

2. a person having such a voice.

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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

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mezzo soprano Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of mezzo-soprano

Borrowed into English from Italian around 1745–55

Example Sentences

But this Christmas, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins has recorded a classical reinterpretation of a viral hit song, and learnt a little Korean in the process.

From BBC

Rebirth in this thrillingly massive symphony for a massive orchestra and chorus, along with soprano and mezzo-soprano soloists, was writ exceedingly large, transparent and loud.

From Los Angeles Times

But it happened to include a performance by a noted traditional mezzo-soprano, Jamie Barton, that already sets a high standard for operatic performance of the young year.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From New York Times

The song builds and builds with an electric guitar that matches the singer's mezzo-soprano and four-octave vocals that merge into the heavy country production backed by drums and banjos.

From Salon