Definition of mezza voce in English:
mezza voce
adjective & adverb ˌmɛtsə ˈvəʊtʃeɪˈvɒtʃiˌmetsä ˈvōCHā
Music (especially as a direction) using about half the singer's vocal power.
noun ˌmɛtsə ˈvəʊtʃeɪˈvɒtʃiˌmetsä ˈvōCHā
mass nounMusic Singing performed mezza voce.
the sweet mezza voce of the ‘Hostias’
Example sentencesExamples
- The release of this pressure for the normal, vocally ‘clear’ attack (coup de glotte), or the mezza voce or ‘breath’ attack, requires precise timing of respiratory and laryngeal movements.
- At first, I thought his ‘Dalla sua pace’ was too aggressive, but when he reprises the aria's opening music, he sings it in a melting mezza voce, almost crooningly.
- Pick items that are sedate rather than fleet-footed prestos and floated pieces at mezza voce rather than full-throttle.
- Yet in reflective or melancholic fare, such as Brahms's Mondenschein and Lerchengesang, he found a caressing legato and an enchanting mezza voce.
- Hans Hotter does not need to raise his voice above a mezza voce; the terrifying menace of his presence leaves no doubt that he is the Grand Inquisitor, and that his is the ultimate authority.
Origin
Italian, literally 'half voice'.
Definition of mezza voce in US English:
mezza voce
adjective & adverbˌmetsä ˈvōCHā
Music (especially as a direction) using about half the singer's vocal power.
nounˌmetsä ˈvōCHā
Music Singing performed mezza voce.
the sweet mezza voce of the “Hostias”
Example sentencesExamples
- Yet in reflective or melancholic fare, such as Brahms's Mondenschein and Lerchengesang, he found a caressing legato and an enchanting mezza voce.
- At first, I thought his ‘Dalla sua pace’ was too aggressive, but when he reprises the aria's opening music, he sings it in a melting mezza voce, almost crooningly.
- The release of this pressure for the normal, vocally ‘clear’ attack (coup de glotte), or the mezza voce or ‘breath’ attack, requires precise timing of respiratory and laryngeal movements.
- Hans Hotter does not need to raise his voice above a mezza voce; the terrifying menace of his presence leaves no doubt that he is the Grand Inquisitor, and that his is the ultimate authority.
- Pick items that are sedate rather than fleet-footed prestos and floated pieces at mezza voce rather than full-throttle.
Origin
Italian, literally ‘half voice’.