Mezzo arias; the best of both worlds

**deggial** · Apr-29-2013, 22:05

After the soprano thread, let's turn to the mezzos. Here we have the opportunity to appreciate both the babe roles and the sensitive (or not so sensitive) gent roles that mezzos can switch between. Think of one that you really love from each category (or either, if you only like one or the other). In the interest of avoiding arguments over the definition of mezzo arias, you can also include castrato arias that have routinely been sung by mezzos as well as countertenors and whoever else who has the range for them.

I'll start:

femme fatale: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix - the definition of sultry, hot and cold at the same time and completely mesmerising

furious young man: La tremenda ultrice spada - Romeo spits expletives to a jaunty tune - what's not to love?!

**Hesoos** · Apr-30-2013, 14:30

"Vieni! t'affretta!" from Macbeth, a really explosion of high notes.
"Stride la vampa" from Il trovatore
"Una voce poco fa" from Il barbiere di Siviglia
"L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" from Carmen

**Hesoos** · Apr-30-2013, 14:58

Originally Posted by deggial

I'll start:

femme fatale: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix - the definition of sultry, hot and cold at the same time and completely mesmerising

furious young man: La tremenda ultrice spada - Romeo spits expletives to a jaunty tune - what's not to love?!

"Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" is my number 1! You can listen to this song 100.000 times and never fed up.

I didn't want to forget this one "Cruda sorte" (contralto-mezzo) from l'Italiana in Algieri

**Hesoos** · Apr-30-2013, 15:07

"Non, je ne verrai pas la déplorable fête" Cassandra's aria, Les troyens

**deggial** · Apr-30-2013, 15:45

Originally Posted by Hesoos

"Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" is my number 1! You can listen to this song 100.000 times and never fed up.

very true! I think it's one of the most effective pieces of vocal music (does what it says on the tin). Cleverly written.

Cruda sorte is good, too. We've got Rossini to thank for his love of the mezzo/contralto voice.

**moody** · Apr-30-2013, 17:10

Originally Posted by Hesoos

"Vieni! t'affretta!" from Macbeth, a really explosion of high notes.
"Stride la vampa" from Il trovatore
"Una voce poco fa" from Il barbiere di Siviglia
"L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" from Carmen

Surely Lady Macbeth is a soprano role ?

**moody** · Apr-30-2013, 17:21

La Cenerentola Rossini "Nacqui all'affano"
"L'Italiani in Algeri Rossini. "Ai Capricci della sorte".
" "O che muso !"
Berlioz. Damnation of Faust. King of Thule Aria.
Thomas,. Mignon "Connais tu le pays ?"
" "Legeres hirondelles".
Massenet. Werther. "Va!laisse couler mes larmes".
Puccini. La Boheme, Musetta's Waltz Song.

**MAuer** · Apr-30-2013, 18:18

Two of my favorites both belong to Princess Eboli: the Song of the Veil and "O don fatale."

**Ritter** · Apr-30-2013, 19:58

"O mio fernando..." and the explosive cabaletta "Scritto e in cielo il mio" from La Favorita (Donizetti)

and

"D'amour l'ardente flamme" from The Dammation of Faust.

**Aksel** · Apr-30-2013, 20:13

Originally Posted by Hesoos

"Vieni! t'affretta!" from Macbeth, a really explosion of high notes.

Lady Macbeth is a soprano role.

**Aksel** · Apr-30-2013, 20:14

Strictly speaking not opera, but close enough:

As With Rosy Steps from Händel's penultimate oratorio, Theodora

**Ritter** · Apr-30-2013, 20:22

Some mezzos-sopranos with wide vocal range like Verret, Cossoto and Bumbry, for instance, succeeded in singing this role. Lady Macbeth has a range of three octaves. In fact, Verret and Bumbry -along with Callas- are the singers that best recorded this role for me.

**Aksel** · Apr-30-2013, 20:24

Originally Posted by Ritter

Some mezzos-sopranos with wide vocal range like Verret, Cossoto and Bumbry, for instance, succeeded in singing this role. Lady Macbeth has a range of three octaves. In fact, Verret and Bumbry -along with Callas- are the singers that best recorded this role for me.

Indeed, they did. Cossotto is my favourite Lady M. That still doesn't make it a mezzo role.
And actually, both Verrett and Bumbry transitioned into sopranodom in the course of their carreers.

**moody** · Apr-30-2013, 23:12

Originally Posted by Ritter

Some mezzos-sopranos with wide vocal range like Verret, Cossoto and Bumbry, for instance, succeeded in singing this role. Lady Macbeth has a range of three octaves. In fact, Verret and Bumbry -along with Callas- are the singers that best recorded this role for me.

They were all sopranos as far as I'm concerned.

**moody** · Apr-30-2013, 23:13

Originally Posted by Aksel

Lady Macbeth is a soprano role.

I made this point already !

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