0 a voice or musical part lower than soprano but higher than contralto, or a singer with this type of voice: --
She's the country's leading mezzo-soprano.
This version included a choir and vocal parts for soprano and mezzo-soprano.
She was best known as a mezzo-soprano vocalist.
An accomplished songwriter and musician, she also possesses a three-octave vocal range and is considered a mezzo-soprano.
The work is scored for mezzo-soprano and an unusual ensemble of percussion and wind instruments (including, in some songs, slide whistles and harmonicas).
The title role was originally performed by a castrato, but today is performed by either a male countertenor or female mezzo-soprano.
Most often the character is an adolescent or a very young man, sung by a mezzo-soprano or contralto.
Most of these employ a female voice, usually either a soprano or mezzo-soprano, but two contralto versions are available.
The third, authorized by the composer for performance as an independent work, also calls for two soloists, a baritone and a mezzo-soprano.
