A COLLABORATIVE PIANIST'S SURVEY OF MEZZO-SOPRANO TROUSER ROLES IN OPERA

Abstract

This dissertation consists of a recording accompanied by extensive program notes centered on ten iconic mezzo-soprano trouser role arias in opera, spanning from the Baroque to the early 20th century. The focus is on exploring the vocal, musical, and dramatic aspects of each aria, emphasizing both the technical demands and interpretive nuances required of singers and collaborative pianists alike. Each chapter delves into a specific aria, offering insights into the stylistic conventions of its time, the role's dramatic context, and its vocal characteristics. Through detailed analysis, the collaborative pianist’s role is examined, offering practical guidance for preparing the orchestra reductions. Additionally, a spotlight is concentrated on the mezzo-soprano's versatile voice and the unique challenges presented in portraying male characters in opera, including how each composer utilizes the mezzo-soprano to enhance narrative and emotional depth. The ten mezzo-soprano arias and duets which comprise this dissertation range from Handel and Mozart to Meyerbeer, Gounod, Humperdinck, Massenet, and concluding with Strauss. The recordings were made in Santa Fe, NM, during July and August 2024, and in Salt Lake City, UT, in January 2025. Featured performers include mezzo-sopranos Ashlyn Brown, Kaylee Nichols, Shannon Keegan, and Sarah Coit, as well as sopranos Elisa Sunshine and Maureen McKay. The dissertation recording can be found in the Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (DRUM)