Lyrics Der Holle Rache (Queen of the Night) - Natasha Marsh

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"Der Hölle Rache" Lyrics and Text Translation

The Queen of the Night's Aria from Mozart's Magic Flute

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Ana Durlovski performs the unforgettable role of the Queen of the Night during a rehearsal of Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte' ('The Magic Flute') at Seebuehne on July 12, 2013, in Bregenz, Austria. Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images

By Aaron Green

Updated March 26, 2017

In the 2nd act of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), read the synopsis of Mozart's The Magic Flute, the Queen of the Night descends upon her daughter's room in her father's palace. The Queen would like to see her husband, Sarastro, dead and demands her daughter, Pamina, be the one to do it. She gives Pamina a dagger and tells her that if she doesn't kill Sarastro, she will disown her for the rest of time.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

There are many great performances of "Der Hölle Rache" on YouTube, but when I want to listen to it or introduce it to someone, there are only a few videos I'll ever need:

Diana Damrau: This is perhaps the greatest interpretation of this iconic role, and really, the only performance that truly matters. Diana Damrau's flawless singing and amazing acting paint the queen in her truest form: evil. (Watch Damrau's performance on YouTube)Natalie Dessay: 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. (Watch Dessay's performance on YouTube)Edda Moser: Despite its "high-tech" green-screen video production, Edda Moser's powerful dramatic coloratura voice embodies the Queen of the Night more so than Natalie Dessay's. Moser's musical repertoire was expansive, but her role as the Queen in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte received much acclaim. In fact, her performance of this aria was included on NASA's Voyager I's Golden Record.

GERMAN TEXT

Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Sarastro
Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr.
Verstossen sei auf ewig,
Verlassen sei auf ewig,
Zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig
Alle Bande der Natur
Wenn nicht durch dich!
Sarastro wird erblassen!

Hört, Rachegötter,
Hört der Mutter Schwur!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF "DER HÖLLE RACHE"

The vengeance of Hell boils in my heart,
Death and despair flame about me!
If Sarastro does not through you feel
The pain of death,
Then you will be my daughter nevermore.
Disowned may you be forever,
Abandoned may you be forever,
Destroyed be forever
All the bonds of nature,
If not through you
Sarastro becomes pale! (as death)
Hear, Gods of Revenge,
Hear a mother's oath!