Of course, there are Cherubino's arias from "Marriage of Figaro," Voi che sapete and Non so piu cosa son.  They are great and lots of fun and I think accessible by a high school singer.  Rossini's opera La Cenerentolo (Cinderella) has Cinderella as a mezzo, so that might have some good arias as well, though I am not greatly familiar with the opera and they might be a stretch for a young singer.  Also, Carmen's arias would be good and fun to sing.  These would be tricky to work up without a vocal teacher, but you get some help on the Italian.  What about some art songs from the appropriate volume of Schubert songs or the standard Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics?  There's also "Patiently" for mezzo from the Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de noel).

 

Good luck!

Catherine Bartoli

Hi Mike:

 

I have six original songs suitable for mezzo.  Five of them were written for and performed by high school singers.  If you are interested in seeing them, send me your private email and I'll send you pdfs.  Also, if you decide to try one or more, but think a key should be shifted for the singer's comfort, I can take care of that as they are all in electronic format.

 

The titles are:

 

Afternoon on a Hill - Edna St. Vincent Millay

Crossing Kansas by Train - Donald Justice

Vague Memory from Childhood - Donald Justice

in just - e e cummings

o by the by- e e cummings

Going for Water - Robert Frost

 

Thanks for considering these.

 

Steve Murray

 

 

24 Italian Songs and Arias from G Schirmer is always good place to start. It is always beneficial for beginning vocal student to start from Italian because of the ease of pronunciation.

 

If you are looking for songs in English, Vaughn Williams wrote many lovely songs. "Silent Noon" is my favorite.

Students always likes German leider by Schuman and Brahms (especially love songs), and there are some lovely French Mélodie by Faure.

 

Unlike opera arias, art songs are generally avaiable in different keys. So, find the versions (or books) which fits your singer most.

I have composed a song cycle which might suit, Six Lullabies.

The poems are by Mark Van Doren.  The songs are discussed

(and one can be heard) at Nancy Ogle's web site:

 

The songs have been published by Leyerle:

 

Contact me if you would like a recording.

 

Brian Holmes