Today we’re listening to…“Der Hölle Rache” (popularly known as “The Queen of the Night Aria”) a coloratura soprano aria from Act II of the opera Die Zauberflöte (“The Magic Flute”) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This aria is incredibly exciting but also terrifying and that is on purpose. The melody is aggressive, full of large leaps and jagged movements. In the aria, which is performed here by Diana Damrau, the soprano must hit a high F over and over again. 😳
Die Zauberflote was part of my father’s record collection. Always fascinate by the strength and stamina to maintain all those ‘Fs’