| A mezzo-soprano (mezzo means "half" in Italian), | | | | advantage to show off those as well. |
| called a mezzo for short, is a female opera singer | | | | The other outstanding mezzo part is Amneris in |
| whose vocal range is lower than a soprano's and | | | | Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida." Even though Amneris |
| higher than a contralto's (the latter is now extinct, | | | | does not have an individual aria in the piece, the |
| and most contralto parts are performed by | | | | part includes passages of truly celestial beauty |
| mezzos these days). | | | | and passion; when done right, it rightfully shows |
| The deep-chested mezzo is usually velvety and | | | | that Amneris (rather than Aida or Rhadames) is |
| pleasant to hear. Unfortunately, the composers | | | | the true lead character in Verdi's masterpiece. |
| responsible for establishing the three major opera | | | | Operas that do not include large mezzo parts are |
| periods did not think much of this type of voice | | | | regarded by mezzo-sopranos as completely |
| and used it mostly for supporting roles - sidekicks, | | | | worthless. |
| girlfriends, inconsequential wives and | | | | Because there aren't too many opera arias |
| chambermaids, etc. There are two very notable | | | | composed for the mezzo, famous mezzos have |
| exceptions. | | | | to resort to singing obscure lieder-type numbers |
| The role of Carmen in the opera of the same title | | | | in concert performances. Many mezzos favor |
| by Georges Bizet, is written for the mezzo voice. | | | | Baroque and post-Baroque opera (as opposed to |
| Some sopranos, for no good reason other than | | | | the three major periods), not because they find |
| extreme vanity, have tried to tackle it over the | | | | the music exciting, but rather because those |
| years to the utter chagrin of mezzos. The role is | | | | operas do, in fact, feature more mezzo parts. |
| very advantageous, very beneficial to the | | | | Some of those parts sound very pretty, even |
| performer. It allows the singer to show off all the | | | | though prettiness alone is not enough to classify a |
| good qualities of her voice - repeatedly. Mezzos | | | | piece as "opera as we know it. |
| blessed with good bodies have the additional | | | | |