Research and web sources for musical instruments

¶ … Instrument on the Web

What is a mezzo-soprano? (2011). Wise Geek. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-mezzo-soprano.htm

This website provides a comprehensive definition of an operatic mezzo-soprano in musical and dramatic terms. A mezzo-soprano is a female singer whose vocal range lies between that of a soprano and alto. The ideal mezzo-soprano has a three-octave range, but when singing at the higher notes of her range she has a darker texture to her voice than a pure soprano. Three categories of mezzo voices exist: coloratura mezzos, lyrical mezzos who often sing the roles of young boys as well as soubrettes (second female leads), and dramatic mezzos who often take 'bad girl' roles such as Carmen.

Soprano, mezzo-soprano, and alto. (2011). My Opera. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.myoperas.com/habericerik.asp?id=31&baslik=Soprano, Mezzo-

Memorably, in the words of this website, mezzo-sopranos are often described as singing the roles of witches, britches and bitches. Witches are old women, britches are young males, and bitches are self-explanatory. However, these rules are not always hard and fast -- some soprano roles, such as Lady Macbeth, are occasionally given to mezzos to give them a more dramatic texture.

Famous performers

Cecilia Bartoli. (2011). Official Website. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.ceciliabartolionline.com/cms/homepage.html

This is the website of perhaps the most famous mezzo-soprano alive today, Cecilia Bartoli. Bartoli is known for her roles in opera as well as her solo concerts. Bartoli had a recent, notable success as the soubrette Susanna in the Metropolitan Opera's production of The Marriage of Figaro. She is widely credited with re-popularizing the classical bel canto style in opera. Bartoli is a coloratura mezzo-soprano, the style closest to a soprano in sound and range. This gives her enough versatility to assume many leading female roles.

Marilyn Horne -- Short biography. (2011). Bach Cantatas. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Horne-Marilyn.htm

This website provides a brief biography of the great singer Marilyn Horne, best known for her interpretations of Rossini and her renditions of highly dramatic opera heroines such as Jocasta and Wozzeck's Marie. Horne had a long and vibrant career that spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s. Horne has been called the greatest singer in the world and is certainly one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos in modern opera history.

Famous composers

The Barber of Seville. (2011). Seattle Opera. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.seattleopera.org/tickets/production.aspx?productionID=92

Both Rossini and Bizet are notable for creating two of the greatest mezzo roles of all time: Rosina of The Barber of Seville and Carmen of Carmen, respectively. The Barber of Seville tells the story of conniving, mistaken identity, and true love. Rosina is a strong heroine, determined to marry the man she desires. This website showcases clips from a recent production, and one of the videos contrasts the two singers playing Rosina on alternating nights -- one a soprano, the other a mezzo. This gives a different texture to the vocal interpretation and thus changes the interpretation of the role in the different 'versions.'

The History of Carmen. (2011). Music with ease. Retrieved April 1, 2011 at http://www.musicwithease.com/bizet-carmen-history.html

Ever since its first performance, Carmen has been a controversial opera. This is due to the raw sensuality of the title gypsy character. Carmen seduces and then discards a soldier after encouraging him to desert. The French composer Bizet clearly used the harsher tone of the dramatic mezzo-soprano to add to the drama of the piece.

Repertoire

"Seguidilla": from Bizet's Carmen