Dessay performs "Der Hölle Rache" from "Die Zauberflöte"

Natalie Dessay performs "Der Hölle Rache" from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte." Paris 2001.

[@IslamChika]

This is the first time I've ever seen the Queen show some compassion to her daughter during this scene. Amazing.

[@flannerymonaghan-morris1317]

I think there is evidence in the libretto that she truly does love her daughter, if in a VERY fucked up (and scary/very overprotective) way...

[@sylviepeltier8563]

@@flannerymonaghan-morris1317 Je partage votre point de vue. On a ici l'incarnation d'une mère possessive donc abusive, magnifiquement interprétée par Natalie Dessay !

[@davidalbro2009]

It works so well not only with the aria but with her character. It seems like 99% have been misinterpreting this aria.

[@leslielandberg]

Wow, there's the color and musicality you seldom hear in this aria! She put uncharacteristic warmth and humanity into the role as well. Bravo! piece

[@christine4771]

I have just started listening to opera seriously and I have to say I am just blown away by the caliber of talent amongst most opera "divas." Natalie Dessay is certainly at the top of that list!! Thanks so much for uploading this!! So much passion!

[@sorobji]

This woman is GREAT! The first time ever I've been moved by this aria. She makes dramatic sense out of the coloratura. She's no. 1.

[@FoxyGrandpa]

Haha, I love her for that! This is her comment on moving while singing: "Definitely, because if you want to sing without moving around, all you have to do is give concerts." It's from her interview with Operanet.

[@danrda]

Stop comparing Dessay and Damrau. They're both amazing.

[@joeleferri8026]

A mio parere son brave entrambe, poi che il loro canto e la loro interpretazione siano diverse è logico, son due soprano diversi! Questa Regina della Notte, interiormente appare più combattuta tra la sua decisione di ripudiare la figlia e l'amore che prova per essa. La Regina della Notte della Damrau no è più decisa e determinata!

[@Iceman-Raikkonen]

I prefer Cristina Deutekom, such a beautiful woman

[@ShoeGazer]

shes better tho

[@edoardobracciotti9594]

@@joeleferri8026 Secondo me dipende molto da come si percepisce la parte dell'acuto: forse per i gusti, oggi pare allegra ai più ma io ci sento piuttosto il pianto disperato di una madre (cosa che la dessay interpreta alla perfezione, secondo me) che non la risata isterica di una pazza omicida. Però forse è solo un modo di leggere l'opera, dovrei approfondire😅

[@seyeondaddy]

Perfect tempo and voice level....She is THE ONE~!!

[@dualmechanized]

I believe that it is the best interpretation of the queen of the night in the network. When I saw this Natalie's interpretation for the first time the eyes filled me with tears, I believe that it expresses pefectamente the surrealistic and emotional environment of this Mozar's aria. The best ;)

[@Calliopeia666]

I love Natalie Dessay! She is an amazing singer and what an energy! I love her voice her technique and interpretation. This is the best version since Christina Deutecom! And she was the best in my opinion! FANTASTIC NATALIE!!!!

[@ewwmorons]

The staccato is amazing... Insane Mozart

[@pisha1625]

Brava~! Dessay is my Favorite Queen of the night!

[@TheAytoZed]

O M G !!! This is the most beautiful sound, gives me goose bumps, moves me to tears

[@noonoowave]

Dessay seems so genuinely furious and upset. I love he interpretation!

[@MacyMabelle]

Oh dear! Dessay is the best Köning since Edita Gruberova! I've been waiting a new Köning for so long ! :D Dessay has also very good dramatic skills: she has created a strong character with convincing psychological aspects. And her voice has huge scale: she sings the high notes without difficulty or hoarseness (which is very common to other singer to this role..) Love her!!!!

[@CandiedMadness]

I love her "I... I can't even..." exit lol. I loved her performance.

[@toni14744]

After watching this video i have reconciliated with Dessay. I've always thought she is one of the greatest but too light-weight in the acting for this role. She is not the cruellest Queen of the night (Damrau is for sure) but i love the way she performs here. She is expressing the conflict of her wish for vengeance and her love as a mother. Brava Dessay!!

[@Pedruli87]

Natalie Dessay es una soprano magnifica!!!! Que maravilla de cantante, una de las joyas de la opera mundial!

[@JoëlGissy.poesie]

Félicitation à toutes deux pour votre jeu. Vos prouesses vocales sont là de toute façon ! MERCI

[@charlottejena]

Love how rounded she is as a performer. And i looooove the costumes. The best I've seen around here for this opera.

[@BirdmanDeuce26]

@daniloxx I remember reading somewhere that this is specifically Dessay's own interpretation on her part - she doesn't feel the Queen of the Night is a villain, and acts as such (as opposed to Damrau's version).

[@Germaine2408]

One of the best performances of that piece I've seen so far

[@fedtho]

I was first unnerved that all someone could come up with was "I like her better"... Then I watched and listened to a clip with her. ***WOW***. No comment - she's got it all, and more. Now I'm THANKFUL TO YOU for pointing her out to me !!!!!!

[@peres010492]

It seems to me that they tried to make the Queen of the Night a less cold character. I like it, it's more sentimental and natural than Damrau's.

[@operafan0anegnd]

I love this. Ranks among the very best. Great interpretation. Opera is musical theatre at its best. In all theatre, performers need to transport the hearts, minds, souls into an ecstatic virtual reality experience of the fantasy portrayed in the libretto. Singing, acting, charisma, involving the audience are all very important. It has to be a total experience. Opera requires very high standards of singing, but it cannot be effective unless it moves hearts and souls of the audience.

[@naamashang5107]

So many shades and colours, apart from flawless technique and stunning musicality. She seems so genuine and so human and yet completely convincing in her role.! Brava!

[@gpeddino]

That moment at 0:55-1:00 is so timeless and so well-executed it makes me teary-eyed.

[@Leterible2011]

Damrau's performance is absolutely the best. Not only because of her voice and acting but the whole production. Dessay is brilliant, but I like the savagery of Damrau. What I think is wonderful and awesome, that we can listen to these great divas, and argue about their excellence. They are all divine, I wish I could do one thing as brilliantly as they did.

[@anThraXy]

Just unbelievable! I heared a lot of very good performances on this part of the "Zauberflöte" but she is really fantastic. great voice an additionally great acting!

[@operaalfonso5421]

This is one the fastest tempos for this aria I've ever heard! Go Dessay!

[@antoinegaillard9440]

Yes, i find it very appropriate to the anger she is supposed to feel :)

[@CYMBALTHEATRE]

Superbe Natalie ! Une vraie actrice qui chante... c'est pour cela qu'on l'adore car elle rend à l'opéra toute sa dimension théâtrale !

[@simoneemili9454]

Fantastic! I've heard this aria from a lot of sopranos (Damrau, Serra, Moser, Devielhe, Deutekom and many others) but Dessay is by far the best: perfect pitch and brilliant tone in every single note and impressive acting.

[@ayladieschnullerfee]

Amazing voice.I've seen a couple of different versions on stage, all very good....but this is simply ...WOW!

[@singe0diabolique]

Ok that was bizarre, hearing German, reading French an thinking in English. LOL

[@sxnrise648]

+ I'm thinking in spanish at the same time XD.

[@kimdemiranda]

Hhhhhhhjj8oo

[@TheNavigator71]

a glitch in the matrix … 😉

[@opera1dan2]

Absolutely stunning. Just an incrdible voice and superb acting too. OK she's not pure evil but she is believable and remember she is not trying to convince a stranger - but her own daughter so she plays on that. I think she's great. Thanks for the upload.

[@whataglass]

The best version on KZbin, no doubt. Quite stunning that so much voice can emerge from someone so tiny. And unlike Damrau, she doesn't have to "assume the position" to hit those Cs. Just amazing.

[@sylviepeltier8563]

Vous trouvez Natalie petite ?? Pourtant, elle n'a rien d'une femme liliputienne. Que de mépris et de malveillance ! Auriez-vous un complexe d'infériorité pour votre propre taille insuffisante ?

[@ClassicusHomo]

Let alone the Fs!! 🎵🎼🎶

[@danilosongs]

Acho que foi a melhor intérprete dessa aria que eu já vi. Ela é excepcional!

[@orthohawk1026]

I've always seen the QoN as having gone over the edge at this point of the opera. Nathalie's fluttering gestures and looking around during that first bout of high C's really caught it!

[@stephiepahlavizan1]

Though Dessay's acting leaves much to be desired, her impeccable voice, both nimble and effortless, shines brilliantly in this aria. My only complaint is that she performs it too sweetly. Stephie Pahlavi Zan

[@murderoustendencies]

Am I the only one who thinks this costume is utterly ridiculous and seems like it could be dyed red and used for a Queen of Hearts character ?

[@zauberflotevideosyt9382]

yes you are

[@mauricioaramburuzabala4496]

Yeah you are pretty much the only one...

[@RebekahSpearman]

no this is hands down the worst costuming for the queen of the night I've ever seen.

[@lilacpen8678]

Reminiscent of Glinda the good witch.

[@kylecarlosarjona3670]

just you

[@Xaja50]

That's the second fragment of what looks like the same production that hits the right note with me. The french subtitles really helped me understand the german. Now I really understand why this should be a display of pain and torment. Well done!

[@tinythechick]

i agree! natalie dessay preforms this song in a different way than most other preformers do, and makes you think twice about the REAL intentions of the queen of the night! very cool!

[@vyrvidomb]

wow, what a wonderful interpretation! i have never seen a mother in this legendary role. only shouting and showing off... that's the way IMHO Pamina's mother would sing this lyrics! bravo!!!

[@Critter145]

This is my favorite interpretation, due not only to the excellent singing, but also the singer's acting skill. Well done!

[@edwardjohn5]

What do you think about Petibon's?

[@Critter145]

@@edwardjohn5 hadn’t heard of her before you asked. Holy shit she’s incredible!

[@edwardjohn5]

@@Critter145 I know right? You're welcome :D

[@edwardjohn5]

@@Critter145 BTW -- you have to check again on this -- Dessay started out as an actress. So it explains the fantastic acting skill...

[@wowthungsten]

@reinehcreinehc I was in the opera house, I've always been a fan of the magic flute. Then the lead singer [I forget her name, I'm sorry] sings this aria. My hand to god, it felt like Mozart himself was talking to me. The best musical experience of my life. This is music for the ages.

[@PJxpanterx]

Love it, great to see that people still like music like this

[@CLASSICAListheWAY]

...the best one i've found on youtube so far.

[@cobolsaurus]

I just admire this women so much. Having to sing this difficult aria in front of a whole audience and cameras, carrying the weight of the whole thing, since people always expect to listen to a perfect rendition. They all deserve to be admire. If I had to stand on stage in front of an audience I could only get to fart at most, which I'd do surely, since I'd be dead nervous.

[@samilmansur]

The thing she makes on 0:56 , that is amazing.

[@krist-yonnarain7786]

The echo or the B flat

[@icozibico]

B flat? If it's the highest note that you're talking about, then i'm pretty sure that's an F.

[@krist-yonnarain7786]

Sorry on 00:56 those are c's

[@jrleblanc65]

@@icozibico the highest note is F#6

[@DoryanGrey18]

Guys, it's an opera. Not a musical, not a theatre, it's an opera, what means that the acting is not important, but the singing is. An aria is not a 'song', especially this one. It's an artistic masterpiece, so stop saying her acting isn't good.

[@gpeddino]

My favorite version. Damrau creates a better and more menacing character, but she struggles too much with the high notes. Dessay sings them with such ease and perfection that it's just overwhelming.

[@neungkrubts2274]

Gui Porto Damrau struggled??? Oh common! Her pitch and timing were perfect. Those high notes are fully resonant.

[@direitonoturno2248]

If Damrau struggles in the high notes then Dessay struggles with the whale song till the high notes. She does not has power at all, her voice on mid notes is incredibly boring, and the higher notes is not as powerful as Damrau's are.

[@魚-c3d]

@@direitonoturno2248 you better check your ears.

[@jeanpaullamont]

@@direitonoturno2248 you just need an audition help. Dessay reaches the higher notes with no cut when Damrau reaches her voice limits. This is quite clear, just ear. I Heard Damrau in differents register session and she struggle each Time to reach the higher notes when Dessay passed it so easely

[@DesiJen]

I have just recently discovered this artist...and,I have to say that her expression is amazing. It's also amazing that she can do all of those actions and not have her pitch suffer.

[@mouseodoom]

Listening to this brings me to tears

[@yetzer19]

This is the most ridiculously awesome thing I've ever seen.

[@baldurernie]

Es ist einfach nur Wunderschön. Bei ihr hört man im gesang einen Schmerz. Die Enttäuschung durch ihre Tochter macht bringt sie zu Verzweiflung, nicht so wie bei anderen wo man nur Hochmut, Stolz und Gnadenlosigkeit darstellt. Dessay ist sogar, würde ich sagen, besser als Damrau. Obwohl Damrau auch eine super Performance macht. Sie spielt super mit der Musik mit.

[@Capibaro]

Fantastic performance, from a technical, musical and absolutely from a performance perspective. For a technical performance I prefer Christine Deutekom, but Dessay really knocks it out of the park here for all other parts

[@anonymoususer2271]

I like the batshit wild interpretation EDIT: Voice department is also amazing :o

[@pinochska]

man for some strange reason this brought me to tears...

[@schneewittchen116]

Perfect. Sehr sauber Klang und Gesang. Vielen dank. Eine Freude zuzuhören

[@frenchie1146]

LOVED how it had french subtitles!

[@Tiagoerg]

At the festival of Aix-en-Provence, Dessay first performed the role of "Queen of the Night" in Mozart's The Magic Flute. Although she was hesitant to perform the role, saying that she didn't want to play any "evil" characters, director convinced her that this Queen would be different -- almost a sister to Pamina. Dessay agreed to do the role, claiming it would be a one-time series of performances. There followed a years-long series of "final" performances of the "Queen of the Night".

[@franciscojosesax]

GREAT!! Simply one of the best!!

[@bobolebien]

Agreed, a fine and absorbing interpretation highlighting the sublime music of this particular opera and the courage of Mozart to go beyond the rigours of the Viennese conventions of the day.

[@SongAndGum]

Bravo à Nathalie ! Comme toujours c'est magnifique !

[@KazeN64]

im german and i understand the lyrics better than her singing :s

[@Shaylob]

OMFG! Her voice is an angels! ♥Teena

[@matthiasknab8203]

touched beyond words

[@IndigoBone]

Daniel Ramírez de Gastón: I agree that both Dessay and Damrau are amazing. But, I have been really looking at them closely in this role the past several says and I have to say what I feel. Perhaps it is just the direction they were given, but I much prefer Damrau's interpretation. Dessay has a beautiful voice, and she makes this sound so easy, which we all know is not the case! But theatrically, it doesn't make sense to me. She plays it as if it's killing her to tell her daughter to kill Sarastro, that it's breaking her heart to disown her child if she doesn't murder someone. And it doesn't work for me. It goes against the text she is singing. She says, more or less, "Kill this man. If you don't do it, I will disown you, breaking all natural bonds between a mother and child. This man must die at your hands, or you will mean nothing to me." She's asking her daughter to choose between a man, and her own mother. And, to me, it just doesn't seem in character to be so overwrought with guilt and pain, or even shame, for someone who could be so cold blooded as to plot a murder such as this, and ask that it be done in such a way, by her own daughter's hand. This is only my opinion, but I just feel Damrau nails the interpretation. She's pissed off and it shows. She is dedicated to her cause and will let nothing stop her, even the maternal bond, the bond of nature! Theatrically, it makes more sense to me.

[@murderoustendencies]

I totally agree with you. And if I may add, their physical characteristics also play a part in the impression. First, Damrau has a bit of a heavier voice, and she's sort of Bulky, with those piercing ice blue eyes, while Dessay has a much brighter. «inoffensive» tone and a tiny stature. She could probably not scare a sparrow if she tried, she looks too nice. She's more fit to play nice roles.

[@daviydviljoen9318]

I saw a few sopranos doing the speaking part of this scene smiling, that didn't make much sense. I read the Libretto and it clearly says that they're supposed to embrace, Damrau seems to ignore the script and it makes sense to me. When I watched the full opera there's a part where the dialogue goes something like this: QON: Die eigeweiten? Pamina: Ja (and then even the singer playing Pamina realises she should probably have said she doesn't know where Tamino is, because her mother would be less angry. I call it the 'oh shit!' moment in the opera). I don't remember who played Pamina, it's the one with the ROH... (Yes I know my German sucks!)

[@daviydviljoen9318]

@@murderoustendencies I thought Diana Damrau did a great performance of Europa in Salieri's Europa Riconosciuta (an opera that should be performed more).

[@arcyken]

Bravo Nathalie tu es formidable !

[@countertenorchronicles]

In my vocal lessons, when I kneal it also helps me hit thehigher notes. My teacher says that it helps because your body is more relaxed and free.

[@YoichiQB]

J'avoue ne rien y connaitre en matière d'opéra mais ça m'as vraiment donné des frissons !

[@muffystjohn86]

Ms Dessay is the most emotional Queen of the Night I have ever seen....exceptional performance!!!! xoxoxoxo love from Tennessee!!!!

[@msinvincible2000]

In one of the comments, the user Dibyajyoti Deb said that he prefered Lucia Popp's version of the aria over Damrau, Dessay and Edita. I went to search for Lucia Popp, and I'm in love! She sings much slower, but her voice is so perfect!!!!!

[@Sunnivah13]

Magnifique!!!

[@NerudasRS]

I can believe some one can do that with a human voice.

[@kaushikmmahadevan2225]

what emotion!

[@elbowristservice]

perfect acting!!!! i just saw luciana serra's rendition and thought it was unsurpassable! brilliant!!! fantastic! 5 stars!

[@muffystjohn86]

Miss Dessay is the most emotional Queen of the Night I have ever seen....exceptional performance.! xoxoxoxo love from Tennessee!!

[@MrBribri94]

Natalie Dessay's voice fits the part of the queen very well. There is a good combination of her voice and her character. She is one of my favorites! Opera singers are so inspiring. =)

[@oliviermarron]

Génial. La posture de la mère avec sa fille est puissamment étudiée et mise en scène. Les coiffures sont excellentes aussi (en plus du son qui est parfait pour moi).

[@atlaslife3800]

Vocally I feel that Dessay nails the difficult coloratura but scoops a lot of the notes in other passages. Her acting talent, on the other hand, is unmatched and is powerful storytelling at its finest. If we could have a savage voice like Diana Damrau with the acting prowess of Dessay, that would be beyond epic.

[@foxxywilma]

i totally agree. thank god for singers who can ACT.

[@asymptotichigh5]

i love her performance

[@pinylotte21]

Dessay and Damrau they're both amazing and the one that I love.

[@azforthlol]

after seeing the english subtitles or german so many times the french subtitles on this are awesome

[@TheDuke777]

I agree!! Diana Damrau just has this way about the Queen that no one else has- I think the madness of the Queen comes out in Diana's voice and it may be better than how the Queen's madness shows mainly in Dessay's physical acting.

[@mark6230]

wonderful Dessay, she creates a character, fantastic performance, the best with Eda Moser and Lucia Popp

[@hockeywifeca]

Love, love LOVE Nathalie Dessay.

[@elharolde11235]

Amazing...such emotion.

[@alexogun]

You have to see that Damrau and Dessay Queen of the Night's interpretations are unique in their own style. Dessay was a revalation when she did this production in 1994 when Damrau probably ever thought that she would play this role. Dessay got the crown as Queen of the Night back then an she was praised for it. Now Damrau has got the crown and the raises. Different interpretation, different voices and voval range, different time. But both great and unique.

[@jajsjajshjsdfh]

O.O oh là là! :D cette chanson est ma préférée d'opéra :D j'adore sa voix, c'est magnifique!

[@ricardsalvat7093]

My favorite

[@tkellnerus]

I love Dessay's performance! One of the things I like about it is how she resolves the contradiction of the aria itself: the hateful words in a bright coloratura aria. Dessay does it with her facial expressions, singing the melisma as if she's screaming insanely.

[@Chronically_JBoo]

I love this song. well done on performance and I absolutly love her costume.

[@anandaalvarez4336]

this is just beautiful

[@MultiJosefus]

The vocalizations written in the piece make the soprano use her voice like an instrument. It was very innovative for the time. That is why Mozart is so great he made all the musicians and the sopranos push the envelope in their virtuosity. Ah ! Mozart why did you have to die?

[@FoxyGrandpa]

It's Dorothea Röschmann. I have a few videos of her from this production up on KZbin, and there are some more videos of her on here too.

[@frauneupo]

i quite enjoy this performance. even though the Queen is supposed to be certainly mysterious and cold, this portrayal shows the Queen's inner torment over her human side (the motherly affection) and the vengeance that overpowers her in the end. Therefore the character has depth and is much more interesting than the singer just standing there singing this difficult aria awkwardly at Pamina's side. This reminds us that, at one time, the Queen actually had emotions enough to have a relationship.

[@PzKpfw]

How come on this video at around the 1:33 mark she says something like: "You're no longer my girl", but in the movie "Amadeus" the singer says something like: "Speak to me, Papa.", and "My father's curse".

[@DaffyMaiden]

I remember reading an interview in which Natalie said she was reluctant to sing this role because she didn't want to play a villain, and she was told that this Queen would be the kind of mother who was more of a friend to Pamina than a domineering you-know-what. That's probably why she's not demonstrating the full "wrath of hell."

[@StormWolf01]

@ImperialVingian I thought this was an amazing performance. Why don't you think so? She communicates her emotions so well. I think it's really a great performance.