What are some good Italian arias for the contralto or mezzo-soprano?

Preferably something easy to learn.

I'm considering auditioning for an opera chorus in a week or two. I have plenty of experience as a choral alto (mainly church choirs). It's the New York City Opera, looking for adult African-American singers for a new opera called Margaret Garner, set in slavery times. They want auditioners to sing an Italian aria and an English-language aria or folk tune.

I could do the Shepherd Boy's Song from Act III of Tosca, but I want some more ideas. Thanks!

What are some good Italian arias for the contralto or mezzo-soprano?opera mini

most of the young mezzos I have heard auditioning either bring the "Non so piu" from Marriage of Figaro, that was mentioned by another answerer, or " Smanie implacabile" from the opera Cosi Fan Tutte, also by Mozart. Also good:

" Che faro senza Euridice" from the opera " Orfeo e Euridice" by Gluck,

"Ombra mai fu" from the opera Xerxes, by Handel. (This one might surprise you, because in the States this is most often known as "Handel's Largo" and is played in church for weddings and such.)

The Scarlatti and other, earlier Italian arie antiche are not considered as audition material in the professional circuit, and modern casting has given the Shepherd's song back to a child in Tosca.

Best wishes

Let us know if you get in !

What are some good Italian arias for the contralto or mezzo-soprano?passions soap opera opera theater

I am more familiar with coloratura soprano or lyric soprano parts, but this goes to a list of mezzo-soprano roles. Unfortunately I think that Itailian operas feature mostly higher aria parts.
Are you a mezzo or a contralto? Those are completely different "fachs" in operatic literature... also, you say you mainly sing in church choirs but are you a trained singer?... would need more information to be able to adequately answer your question.
Gi脿 il sole dal Gange by Alessandro Scarlatti. I sang this one my senior year in high school for solo and ensemble. Great contralto/mezzo-soprano song. But make sure you find the contralto version, not the soprano version.

Good luck!
Non so piu, and voi che sapete are from the Marriage of Figaro. The character Cherubino, is played by mezzo sopranos. You might find other "pants parts" or "trouser roles".
Stick with something standard, simple and something you do really well. It is better to go in with something brief and simple that (even if you think it might be elementary) kicks butt than to go in with a 7 minute long singer-with-horns aria and not hit it over the wall. So, I say, Voi Che Sapete or Non so piu or something along those lines. Think Mozart, Verdi, Handel...you want to nail it, whatever it is. So, go with something you've done for years (or years ago) and just sing well...do go for fireworks...
Caro mio ben is a great song to sing. it is by giordani. let me know if you need more information. soconfused617.

samantha (good luck)