Messa di Voce as an advanced appoggio trick :secrets of Belcanto by Franco Tenelli

What is messa di voce and how master it?

Messa di voce (Italian, placing the voice) is a vocal technique that implies a gradual crescendo and decrescendo while sustaining the same pitch

Messa di Voce as a term came into existence in 20th century, before it simply meant great voice placement.
As a trick it was popular especialy in Belcanto times (Casta Diva etc).

Opera lovers used to say about singer's great technique and voice: "Ma che messa di voce!"
Messa di voce is considered to be an advanced technique for vocalists.
I have to mention that majority of pro opera singers don't know how to do it or do it poorly.(Tamagno/Del Monaco). I also have to say that it's more difficult trick for tenors then anybody else.
The reason is absence of a true appoggio technique that takes care of the voice dynamics.
How to develop that technique?
First, one has to be an appoggio singer because that action is provided by dynamic control of a diaphragm.
Second, learn how to control the dynamics without loosing a timbre(Color/vibrato)
I have to mention that Messa di voce is easier with liric voices then with dramatic ones because dramatic voices so to speak are chunkier then liric ones and the change of color with them(timbre) is less noticeable)
Technique is also has differences in nuances; Dramatic voices tend to reduce chiaro keeping scuro untouched(example) and liric ones like to reduce the total volume(example)
Messa di voce is more difficult to do in passagio zone and higher because it can easily crack ones voice
In that area
Messa di voce is impossible for those who cannot sing piano
Placement of the voice or Messa di voce is impossible if you don't have a great placement(natural)
So if you are an advanced singer you may try these following exercises to develop that dynamic trick

Franco Tenelli