The mezzo-soprano range sits between alto (lower) and soprano (higher), classically A3 to A5 — about two octaves. The signature is a rich middle range with a warm chest voice and a flexible head voice. Trained mezzos often extend to C6 in head voice and down to F3 in chest, but the *tessitura* (where the voice sits comfortably for sustained passages) is in the middle, not at the extremes.
The classical mezzo subtypes: (1) Lyric mezzo — flexible, warm, classical roles like Cherubino in Marriage of Figaro. (2) Dramatic mezzo — heavier, dramatic roles like Carmen. (3) Coloratura mezzo — agile, rare, roles like Rossini's heroines.
In pop and contemporary music: most "powerhouse" female pop singers are mezzos with strong belt — Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga. Belt voice is mezzo-friendly because it lives in the chest-mix register where mezzos have natural strength. A lyric soprano belting often sounds shrill; a mezzo belting sounds full.
