From Amazon Alexa commercials to appearances in Gossip Girl and Eat, Pray, Love, even those who aren’t opera enthusiasts likely recognize the iconic melody of Mozart’s “The Queen of the Night” aria. This famous piece has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and advertisements, with its staccato high notes becoming a memorable earworm.
Originating from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute, premiered in 1791, the aria is part of a dramatic scene set in ancient Egypt. The opera’s narrative revolves around Tamino, a young prince aiming to win the hand of Princess Pamina. To marry her, Tamino must undergo various initiation rites testing his character.
The character of the Queen of the Night, Pamina’s mother, is traditionally portrayed as the antagonist. Her renowned aria, “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” (translated as “Hell’s vengeance boils in my heart”), occurs in the second act. In this pivotal moment, she places a knife in Pamina’s hand and commands her to assassinate the Queen’s rival, threatening to disown and curse Pamina if she refuses.
Coloratura soprano Rachel Duckett provided insight into the intricacies of this aria backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, where she performed it during Classic FM Live. Watch her comprehensive breakdown of this vocal challenge in the accompanying video.
Rachel Duckett, a soprano hailing from London with British and Jamaican heritage, is supported by the Pegasus Opera Company. Her debut at the Royal Albert Hall during Classic FM Live featured her performance of the show-stopping aria.
In an interview backstage prior to her performance, Duckett showcased her vocal prowess by effortlessly hitting the stratospheric ‘Der Hölle Rache’ high notes. She then shared her approach to mastering this challenging aria, beginning with a meticulous examination of the German text to ensure a thorough understanding of the lyrics.
After familiarizing herself with Mozart’s composition, Duckett focuses on vocal exercises to ground herself and maintain stability. Regarding the infamous high-pitched arpeggios, she emphasizes the importance of experimentation and incremental progress in the practice room, advising singers to enjoy the process and have fun reaching those exhilarating high notes.
Duckett’s flawless execution of the aria on stage, captured before an audience of 5,000 at Classic FM Live, demonstrates her exceptional skill and precision
The aria continues to captivate both singers and audiences alike, remaining an epic masterpiece. While Rachel’s performance on stage may appear effortless, it’s fascinating to gain insight into the immense effort required to bring it to life, offering all those in attendance a vocal experience they’ll always cherish