An aria translation from Mozart's the Magic Flute
Aria: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
Opera: The Magic Flute, Die Zauberflöte
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto: Johann Emanuel Schikaneder, in German
Role: Queen of the Night, Die Königin der Nacht
Voice Part: Soprano, coloratura
Synopsis of Opera Aria: Act 2; The Queen of the night gives her daughter, Pamina, a dagger. She tells Pamina that she is to go and kill Sarastro. Monastatos overhears this particular conversation and later tries to use it to his advantage with Pamina
Notes on this Opera Aria: This aria often referred to as the "Queen of the Night" aria or the “Vengence Aria.” The upper range of this aria reaches a high F6 – making this opera aria one of the very few classical works known to require that the singer sing that pitch. The first singer to perform it onstage was Mozart's sister-in-law, Anna Hofer née Webber, at the age of 19.
English Translation of German Text for this Opera Aria
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen, (The revenge of Hell cooks in my heart,)
Tot und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her! (Death and despair flame around me!)
Fühlt nicht durch dich Sarastro (If Sarastro does not feel through you)
Todesschmerzen, (Death’s pain,)
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr. (Then you will never again be my daughter.)
Verstossen sei auf ewig, (you’ll be Disowned eternally,)
Verlassen sei auf ewig, (Abandoned may you be eternally,)
Zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig (Destroyed be eternally)
Alle Bande der Natur (All bonds of nature,)
Wenn nicht durch dich (If not by you)
Sarastro wird erblassen! (Sarastro becomes pale! (as death))
Hört, Rachegötter, (Hear, the revenge of the Gods,)
Hoert der Mutter Schwur! (Hear the mother's oath!)
Recommended Recordings of this Opera aria:
- Roberta Peters, Die Zauberflöte; Berlin Philharmonic, Karl Böhm, conductor, Deutsche Grammophon catalog: 449 749-2
- Lucia Popp; Die Zauberflöte; Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor; EMI Classics catalog: B00004VVZN
- Natalie Dessay; Die Zauberflöte; Les Arts Florissants, Christie, conductor; Erato: Catalog: 0630-12705-2)
Scores:
Complete opera score:
- Bärenreiter, Urtext, BA4553 90, Piano Reduction/Vocal Score
- G. Schirmer; Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Vocal score for voices and piano accompaniment. Piano reduction. Text language German/English. 167 pages. (HL.50337620)
Aria available in:
- Opera Arias for Soprano – G. Schirmer
- Operatic Anthology (Soprano) - G. Schirmer
Other Magic Flute Aria translations:
- Dies Bildnis ist bezauberd schön (Tamino)
- Der Volgerfänger bin ich ja (Papageno)
- Ach, ich fühl’s (Pamina)
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