Der holle Rache - Edda Moser - Die Zauberflote (live 1972)

Metropolitan Opera House, New York
December 23, 1972
Peter Maag, cond.

[@teaanv]

She is the best Queen in recorded history. No doubt.

[@Wotan123456789]

Lot of doubts. A great Queen of the Night for sure; the best... not so sure.

[@barryedmunds3557]

Eddy Moser is one of my favorite performers. Not because everything is perfect but the passion she brings to the music.

[@danawinsor1380]

+Barry Edmunds Thank you for your comment. I was not previously familiar with her singing. Goodness knows her rendition 'Der Holle Rache' sounds like a lady not to be trifled with!

[@valentinsenner6418]

Barry Edmunds

[@beachfanatic2010]

She is extremely musical, indeed!

[@eduardobraivein8496]

Barry Edmunds I agree with you.

[@barryedmunds3557]

Edda Moser is the greatest performer of this aria/role I have ever heard. EVERYTHING IS PERFECTION. The Queen is pissed is she is coming for you. BRAVA BRAVA BRAVA!!! ROCK ON EDDA!!!!!!!!!

[@MegaPrincessbear]

“SHE IS COMING FOR YOU” #YASSSSSSSSS

[@brunopicaude3092]

CALLAS used to say that "the most difficult in this aria are not the top F _if you possess them_ but the triplets which are really difficult to sing in time and regularly". Edda Moser is really impressive.

[@artdanks]

The best and ballsiest Queen of the Night EVER! Brava!

[@vettegaddia6234]

By far!

[@williammaddox3339]

Vette - She is good but her middle voice lacks sheen and true beauty in this performance. Her studio version is better and I believe it was recorded a few years before this performance. By the early 80's her voice was shot; there's a ghastly Lucia on YT from that period and she wasn't old at the time.

[@eduardobraivein8496]

Art Danks The as-yet-unsurpassed Queen of the Night of all times (both vocally and dramatically) The other interpreter I like in this role (though her characterization is entirely different from Moser's) is Zdzislawa Donat.

[@jasonhurd4379]

@@eduardobraivein8496 I agree. I saw Donat as the Königin der Nacht at San Francisco in 1975, and her interpretation, though more lightweight than Moser's, was yet focused and formidable, musicianly and accurate. I enjoyed it very much. And her Polish accent in the spoken dialogue (done in English) was charming!

[@Aishiya1]

She really does a good job of making the Queen sound hysterical, but stylish at the same time. She's really great.

[@KathrynARyder]

Edda Moser is truly ferocious in this aria! On her commercial recordings of this aria she is slightly softer and more tame, so this live recording is a marvel to behold !!!!

[@jjh2456]

Huge voice and perfect coloratura. She even takes on the triplets of death perfectly.

[@mvcpastkambcstccr8563]

HA HA HA , wahrhaft Oper Oper Oper ....meine Erinnerung an Edda Moser war : La grande Moser betrat die Bühne, sie sah SANG & siegte ! Wie eine Göttin, sie ist und bleibt die beste ALLERBESTE KÖNIGIN DER NACHT nicht nur in der famosen Ponelle -Inszenierung .... waren das noch Zeiten ....

[@cindyoh9739]

When I first listened to her version, it gave me shivers. Then I listened to other singers' versions. I think she expressed the feelings pretty well. Her version is the best.

[@Nina-no8qj]

Not even gonna lie, the first time I heard her sing thing, I got goosebumps. (Spoiler alert: I still do) A true Dramatic Coloratura Soprano. Bravo!

[@callastoujours]

WOW!! I think this is the perfect Queen of the Night voice. Astonishing!!

[@draganvidic2039]

Very good !!! Essential here is not only the high F:s in tune but the dialogue before her aria. She mastered both.

[@Smaug1]

Also, I think Mozart would be happy to know that a German lady is STILL the best Queen of the Night. :)

[@jasonhurd4379]

@Cornelia Quite right. My Viennese friends are more like soft-spoken, good-humored Italians than they are like Germans. Interesting.

[@Wotan123456789]

A Salzburger happy a northern Germany singer? Not so sure

[@swaingles]

You know. . . I was just to upload the same comment. I agree with you completely

[@robert111k]

I don't think Mozart would give any importance to Moser's nationality. Maybe Wagner...

[@schneevongestern9898]

Die beste Königin der Nacht, finde ich. Die staccati sind gigantisch und wie eine Mischung aus Trompete und Flöte. Beeindruckend.

[@lionelthiebaud7081]

Sans doute la plus grande reine de la nuit de tous les temps avec je pense, et étonné qu'elle ne soit pas citée, Lucia Popp dans son enregistrement officiel avec Klemperer chez EMI en 1964, sublime version autant que Edda Moser, j'adore les deux et surtout merci Mozart pour un tel chef d'œuvre

[@davidbaron77]

Incredible passion, precision and dramatic expression. Wow.

[@xanthippe9757]

Yes! Wow-wow-wow! Chapeau!!!

[@beachfanatic2010]

Edda's incredibly powerful and absolutely GIGANTIC in size instrument is unbelievable! And no question she is by far the best dramatic soprano with coloratura. She could have been a Callas but lack the confidence!!!

[@CASantos]

+chosentenore Agreed, never expected to hear such a heavy and metallic voice nailing what is often (for lack of a better term) "canary" repertoire. And it definitely suits the Queen in this aria. My only wish with her might be what you alluded to regarding confidence or at least being adventurous like Callas: in my opinion she could have handled also tackling some assoluta roles like Armida, Abigaille, maybe Lady M, etc.

[@beachfanatic2010]

Christopher Santos I agree too. Edda had a very good low register as well. Not as strong and contralto-like as Callas but for sure resonant and of good size.

[@danawinsor1380]

+chosentenore Interesting. This rendition by Frau Moser sounds, to me at least, closer to a "Callas Queen of the Night" as anyone else.

[@beachfanatic2010]

You are right. This is the closest voice of how it would have sound had Callas ever sang the Queen of the Night....sinply incredible, I always come back to this recording.

[@artdanks]

@@beachfanatic2010 Callas DID sing the Queen of the Night, in the very early part of her career. But it was never recorded, and she only did very few performances.

[@Kivimusic]

That thick amazing vibrato and that agility = impossible opposites...

[@beachfanatic2010]

It ois not a thick vibrato it is a THICK, HUGE voice!

[@anubhabchatterjee5269]

Best queen of the night ever

[@rodeocyclone]

Queen of the Queens of the Night

[@gianerajohn436]

It’s sad that Moser never really ventured down the bel canto path when Callas has already bulldozered the way down for miraculous voices like hers and Moser’s. Imagine Moser singing confrontational duets like Figlia impura or Armida’s finale. Like her D’oreste d’aiace x100!

[@WongAndrew_]

Her dramatic capabilities could definitely nail Armida's finale!!!!

[@jairussindayen906]

Sooooo beautiful voice. Fit for a queen

[@Poet4you1]

nn mi capacito di come una voce così estesa e potente sia risultata inetta nel belcanto italiano!

[@jjh2456]

One thing to notice is her voice slices right through the orchestra. The orchestra is a little larger than normal here because Edda voice is so big that it could drown it out. This is how the Queen of the Night needs to sound.

[@Ariadne7710]

Bravissima!!!!! The ultimate Queen of the Night without equal.

[@musicatiranna553]

stupenda..grandissima edda.

[@valentinadellafemina2465]

Meravigliosa

[@bulentcinar4289]

Such forceful, fluent, dynamic execution... Truly inspiring!

[@Stenliuski]

Amazing!!!

[@ozanbatbeki2484]

This is perfection.

[@Ethratian]

@miesermogelvogel Well Damrau is good and one of my favourites and maybe the second best queen of the night this world has ever seen, but Edda still reigns supreme.

[@KarinFrancoisedeStinger]

The Best, la mejor reina de la noche, de todos los tiempos

[@80Mrmirko]

Una furia di suono!!

[@rosebudslove1247]

her and cristina deutekom do this aria JUSTICE

[@MaliestherM]

Buenísima! Mucha fuerza interpretativa y en cada nota cantada! Bravo!

[@TristanLaurens]

Her speaking voice is soooo different that her singing voice! I'm shocked O.o XD

[@vincenzoanzoletti6776]

Tristan Laurens Yes, but her speaking voice is beautiful, so sweet and gentile!

[@theartfulme1898]

+Vincenzo Anzoletti I'm sorry, but there's nothing sweet about Moser's speaking. Here she sounds intimidating and menacing. Even in her later interviews she sounded dry. And I love it!

[@vincenzoanzoletti6776]

+ArtfulI I didn't mean here, but in her interview with August Everding, which is available here on youtube.

[@theartfulme1898]

+Vincenzo Anzoletti Well, let's agree to disagree then, because despite being poised and speaking softly, I still don't feel any sweetness coming from her. She is rather dry at some points of that interview. Cheers! =]

[@CASantos]

+Tristan Laurens Hm... Do you maybe have the voices mixed up? She's the deeper sounding of the two here, and her speaking voice is definitely as dark and menacing as one would expect of her huge dramatic soprano voice, in my opinion.

[@adamovakoreneva]

Bravissima!!! 🌹🌹🌹❤

[@Ariadne7710]

THE ONE AND ONLY QUEEN OF THE NIGHT!!!!!

[@macolga100]

Miracle.

[@danielrodriguez9630]

Increible!!!Para la historia....

[@totallyawake]

Nobody better than her.. really! unbelievably how great :D

[@annagoodmusic]

The REAL Queen of the night !!!!

[@jjh2456]

Josepha was reincarnated as Edda. I swear cause this is perfection.

[@franceseattle]

Best Queen of the Night ever!!!

[@arturo8402]

This does it for me!!

[@BaroneVitellioScarpia1]

Moser's voice reminds me a bit of Deutekom.

[@ahmedchaabane5951]

this is perfect

[@JERIGNUSS]

WHAT A RUSH! SUPERB! VOCE ECCELLENTE!

[@fs6887]

The best ever

[@schneevongestern9898]

Her staccati sound like a trumpet. Absutely fantastic. True dramatic coloratura should sound like this. She owns this role like no other. Damrau is often mentioned with this role. Her acting was great. It always was one of her winning features. Especially comedy and fierce roles. But her singing never was dramatic. And I think she didn't do good to her voice singing dramatic stuff. I always perceived her voice as something lighter and brighter. But not dramatic.

[@bauchmann9971]

The only dramatic queen I know!

[@selysia]

This is spectacular. And I agree, sounding angry is good for this aria, because this woman is majorly pissed off. And after reviewing this opera lately, I can understand why :)

[@MrFalconford]

the message is clear

[@josereyangelhernandezcruz]

Todas, absolutamente todas las cantantes que han interpretado esta aria tan exigente son maravillosas, cada una con sus propias cualidades, pero para mi gusto la mejor es la interpretada por la gran soprano holandesa Cristina Deutekom, para mi, ella no tiene rival en cuanto a la coloratura y el preciosismo de su voz. Adoro a la Deutekom.

[@LuisCatalanAravena]

I totally agree.

[@CanyonTide]

Brilliant!

[@travellingboardingtime]

Very powerful

[@jjh2456]

I certainly don't want to piss her off...She sounds just so angry.

[@robert111k]

Of course she does. She is menacing her only daughter to disown her should she not murder some guy.

[@acanthe83]

incredible

[@jjh2456]

@JonnyLabrada on this aria sounding angry is a good thing.

[@KINGNIARE]

Stupendous!

[@1985eleniathens]

She is great!Diana Damrau is also excellent at this aria!

[@jimbuxton2187]

if this was Paminas mother, she would have killed Sarastro....!

[@xanthippe9757]

In this aria she is in high rage! Incredibile! Wow! Chapeau!

[@squiddles8]

Yass Queen!

[@glaucoselva3327]

mamma mia

[@xanthippe9757]

Oh holy shit! She is the best and really queen of the night in rage! WOW!

[@glaucoselva3327]

@@xanthippe9757 almost devil

[@VolkmarKlemm]

i fully agree. after years of research i come to the conclusion: nobody surpasses her - with the possible exception of the so elsusive josepha hofer... we will never find out...

[@ubedajils]

Siento la grosería, pero: me he cagado vivo! GENIAL!!

[@swaingles]

How cames a mezzo-soprano should be able to sing such complex and high pitched aria? It is out of this world. Frau Moser is beyond belief.

[@dificilhardhart]

@elisabethkenner2 ganz richtig

[@gggggggggggggggggg161]

Even greater queen of the night than Christina Deutekom or Callas. Patricia Petibon and especially Sumi Jo also do a wonderful job in this role. Diana Damrau seems to get quite hyped but she doesn't impress me at all, she has so little emotion I'm not yet convinced she's not a robot

[@revmiguel2000]

Callas didn’t sing the Queen of the Night.

[@przemysawkaczowka5238]

Also Lucia Popp. Perfect, even if lighter, but such an amazing voice.

[@lionelthiebaud7081]

​@@przemysawkaczowka5238entièrement d'accord avec vous

[@Royalorgans]

Edda Moser and Joan Sutherland are the best queens ever.

[@robert111k]

Sutherland? She never sung this. She did sung something that sounded similar but a full tone down.

[@jjh2456]

robert111k she sung it once in London. She wanted to check it off as a part of the coloratura repertoire. You are correct she took it down a semi tone cause she couldn’t hit those F6s.

[@mitka_akkoyun]

Maria callas, deutekom, tebaldi and moser

[@mjmacmtenor]

The clarity of the staccati and the fullness of the sound are amazing (though some of the runs could be clearer). One of the (VERY) few sopranos who can do both. The only others I can think are Sutherland (who rarely did this) and Christian Deutekom (who did it great, but slower).

[@eduardobraivein8496]

mjmacmtenor Sutherland sang this role only once (Covent Garden, January 1962) and transposed both arias one tone down.

[@applecake122]

Wenn nur die Aufnahme etwas besser wäre.

[@devinloipersberger1390]

Es gibt ein Remaster von 1987 - ein klanglicher Sprung

[@SteelyPhil37]

Easily one of the best if not the best. I've heard cleaner takes from other sopranos (e.g. Damrau), but not at this tempo and with this much energy.

[@Smaug1]

Agree with OperaMystery. Moser was the best, I've heard on KZbin. The only one I've heard who can compare is Margaret Price, in the recording for Philips, on the Complete Mozart Edition. That one is of course perfect, as it is a studio recording. This is the best live one I've heard.

[@jasonhurd4379]

Jeremy D Margaret Price is Pamina in the recording to which you refer. Luciana Serra is Königin der Nacht.

[@Smaug1]

OK, I have to take back what I said in the other one. Koth was not as good as Moser in this piece. It REALLY takes a set of pipes to sing this one properly. What I wouldn't give to hear Aloysia Weber sing it...

[@Jamesscalise]

i don't see why you think they're implying it wasn't supposed to sound angry

[@VolkmarKlemm]

good man (or lady). :-D

[@ValerioLorenzoGiannella]

Sulla base di quali dati affermi ciò?

[@babydrane]

I mean it's pretty good. Could rival Deutekom except Moser's top notes sound a lot tighter than Deutkom's whose Fs sounded like Cs.

[@alainflaux870]

LE MUST

[@alucard4686]

che traduzioni?

[@Mandolino82]

ma la migliore in questo ruolo è la serra...

[@alucard4686]

ahah !

[@PickBit]

Provo ad azzardare... sulla base del fatto che questo signore è parente stretto di Beethoven... Purtroppo però dall'illustre antenato ha ereditato un solo carattere: la sordità

[@matistysk79]

Undeutliche Aussprache der Worte teilweise und sehr gehetzte Darbietung besonders in den hohen Tönen, deutet auf unzureichendes Stimmvolumen hin.

[@Bumblebeebeebee]

Selten so gelacht!!

[@margholtz]

Great but no one gets those high notes like Mimi Coertse

[@krowapaulinka4351]

Edda's high Fs are way more powerful than Mimi's...

[@realchicken7224]

Se la sentisse Mozart si strapperebbe tutti i peli della parrucca dal disgusto.

[@johnsarkissian5519]

RealChicken Ma tu sei matto! Oppure non capisci niente dell'arte teatrale. Un compositore non è sempre che voglia un canto preciso e bello. Questo non è il bel canto! Anche Verdi stesso fu arrabbiatissimo con l'impresario quando lui scelse "la più bella voce d'Italia" per cantare il ruolo della Lady Macbeth. Disse che per quel ruolo avrebbe preferito "la voce più brutta".

[@alecvillavilla9978]

Quindi tu pensi che Mozart fosse un idiota in materia canto e musica(lità).

[@Pachinanonim]

Si mozart escuchara a Damrau se revolcaria de su tumba (y lo mismo con todos los cantantes modernos) . Edda Mosser es la única que hace justicia a este papel con Deutekom.

[@Tkimba2]

Non mi piace. Poco legato. Poca agilità (le terzine cantate malissimo) Molte note urlate Direzione disastrosa. Bocciati ebtrambi.

[@radames5855]

Non mi sembra così male...certo ci sono interpretazioni più pulite,tipo l'italiana Serra...ma questa performance è fuori ogni canone e con una vocalità quasi spinta,il che non è altrettanto facile,come un leggero di coloratura!