Erika Miklosa, Queen of Night, 1st Aria

[jjh2456]

Erika comes from the Lucia Popp school of interpreting this aria. Since I adore Lucia's version, Erika knocked it out of the park for me.

[lesliefoy49]

minden operát eredeti nyelven szabadni csak előadni,az általában " silány" fordítást ki szokták vetíteni

[jkdriscoll]

I think Mozart would have appreciated the translation, keep in my mind he was actually rather fond of writing operas in languages they were not traditionally performed in. like oh, idunno, the german that everybody is so mad got translated here.

[jjh2456]

Even though the translator did a great job in translating this, I actually prefer the German version.

[fll7181]

wow, i cannot believe how well Erika Miklosa did on this. i was with her on every word at the beginning lamentation segment. the lament was done quite well :)

[LenoreFilleMorte]

Perfectly! Brilliant! I love it! Beautiful voice... and Mozart! *__*

[Federkiel]

interessing production but what a shame.... the wonderful, amazing "magic flute" in englisch... terrible, sad!!!! if mozart would know that, he would role aroung in his grave!

[Luindriel]

@Federkiel If Mozart heard this, he'd be amazed that his music was not only still being performed, but that it was being translated into many languages to make it accessible for more people.

[CarlitosDessay]

@Luindriel the truth is Mozart hated composing anything that wasn´t in German, specially Italian, there are many letters to his father that proof this, not to mention this performance...more than be amazed, he would probably rather commit suicide. Thanks to hundreds of letters to his family and friends, and the testimony of many people who knew him left behind in paper, we know how his personality was, and he wasn´t as kind as you think he might be after hearing this...just saying.

[missmaddie90]

@Luindriel Couldn't agree with you more!

[jd7x7jd]

@Federkiel No he wouldn't. He would thoroughly approve of making his work more accessible.

[Mangina9000]

@Federkiel Yes, Shakespeare is translated into many languages. It's not the same as it is in English, but many people love it in the languages that it has been translated into. I can understand why you would be hesitant to embrace something that you feel so close to being turned into something unfamiliar.

[linhx582]

@Federkiel If I'm not mistaken, this is an annual MET family production so it's in English for families. It's especially helpful for the children.

[riardojarav]

@Federkiel .l. f-uck you

[luizoryone]

@Federkiel no...no... is like the bible just in latim...

[PetertheChanter]

@Federkiel you're just like the Italians in Amadeus.

[rey982]

Opera in english, sounds pretty. I likeª

[chrmll]

when did somebody thought that Mozart should write this in english?

[CarlitosDessay]

@chrmll ever since they don´t know anything about him and of course nothing about history, specially from 1790-1791.

[napoleonsdauphin]

i'd love to see this staging but with the German libretto. 

[Luindriel]

@napoleonsdauphin I did see this production, but in German. It was AMAZING. :)

[Cedricfollyman]

Her diction leaves much to be desired but in all it is a beautiful rendition :)

[mugrad25]

she's pretty but there's no core to her voice. I need steel/cut! something penetrating.

[Aacsilaa]

Thank you for uploading these videos of Ms. Miklosa. I'm so proud that we have a hungarian soprano singing at such operas as the Met. :) She's just brilliant. :)

[orlandomonjoie]

I absolutely adore the Night Moth costume for this aria. How can you not love this performance? People who disliked this must also hate kittens, wild flowers, pizza, and laughter.

[iyamt]

I'd love to see this production in Paris!

[CalypsOo0]

Why the lyrics are not sung in German ? I think i would be better why always all do in english ?

[spizzell1]

I really like her. And I am glad they did this opera in English. I have never really like it before, but loved this production.

[KKKKKho]

aaaargh in inglese è orribile! x_x

però erika è sempre bravissima! :D

[cris88acquario]

@KKKKKho

Concordo pienamente!

[Boerenfox]

The mise-en-scene is amazing and brilliant done!

[ZBpopelka]

I love the stage design, the costume of The Queen, indeed.

[bellini7verdi]

AQUI VOY A SER MUY DURO............ESTA ARIA NO TIENE DESPERDICIO....ASI QUE ME ANDARE FINO......O CLAVA LOS AGUDOS O LA HUNDO............EL NIETO DE VERDI DIJO QUE LA MEJOR CANTANTE DE MOZART ERA SUTHERLAND.DE MOMENTO ME PARECE UN POCO SUI GENERIS SU INTERPRETACION Y NO ES MALO.......PERO LE FALTA FUERZA.....POCA ENERGIA PARA ESTE ARIA EN ESTE CASO.ES MI OPINION.NO SON AGUDOS CLAVADOS.

[iyamt]

I think this is the only time I like her coloratura even though I have never heard it sung right by her...especially her F is very nice like coming from nowhere...I have seen her in Bastille in november 2008 she was singing the aria so fast...But here Love it !

[TheMrclasico]

she is the perfect queen of night

[KnivesBatsNewTats]

who is tamino in this video? i saw it last night with a partial different cast, matthew polenzani played him.

[Luindriel]

@KnivesBatsNewTats I was there last night too! I was in the Grand Tier Rear, where were you? Matthew Polenzani is in this English production too, and Nathan Gunn. Not sure about the Speaker. Everyone else was different. Wasn't it amazing?

[KnivesBatsNewTats]

@Luindriel yes! i was in the family circle, i saw it in the fall too and i can't find the program anywhere for it so im not sure who was in it then, but i think the other night's preformance was better anyway!

[crsgemini]

For those wondering about the "butterfly" appearance of her costume: I read a comment on another clip which states it is based on the Deaths-head Moth, Sinister, etc.

[Arnarkusaga]

The visual design of this rendition is stunning.

[PraiseH]

@Arnarkusaga I heartily agree!! as i watched this for the first time, i was absolutely blown away at how they made the costume for the queen. this is actually how it should be: a fantastically supernatural and darkly glorious set!

[KitanaiBaishunfu]

though scary.

[Arnarkusaga]

Yes, but it's supposed to be.

[branko1b]

why not in english? Mozart wrote it as an entertainment piece for masses, for austrian masses... in their language... - if he would live nowadays he surely wouldn't wont it performed as if it is, say, Strauss' Salome - right?

re Miklosa - i'm not too keen on her delivery (in any language), it is at times self indulgent - but, she surely can sing - as different from Dessay, she can sing this aria without appearing as having an epileptic seizure

[javi9330]

in english? how weird...

[verdiotello]

Brava!!!!!!

[Emlynsh]

I saw this, and I didn't like her. Her F sounds weird and stressed.

[Bluemango123]

@Emlynsh

Let's hear you try and hit an F note, then?

[edgarbiervliet]

Find it a beautiful performance. Stage design etc. Only thos top notes of Miklosa have to get used to them. They (her F) sounds so different from any F of other sopranos. Like it´s not connected to the rest of her voice.

[ergon133]

great playlist mate, im guessing this is filmed at the ny metropolitan opera house? im asking because just 2 days ago i saw this opera (albeit in german) there and the props are exactly the same as well as much of the staging =D

[edgarbiervliet]

Metropolitan? But don´t they always perform the opera´s in the original language at the Met?

[MidtownBlake]

That is correct. They did this during the holidays to encourage parents to bring their children. The opera was also shorted.

[VINCENZO3002]

mozart ! grande miklosa!

[laddo79]

Mozart not mozart and plz do not call that bitch grande.....she is horrible!

[NinjaPutz]

hey I just saw this in Keresotas theaters!! I was freakin out when I heard it was comin to the show!!!! I can't afford to go to a real staged opera :(

[Lexigiggles]

I love this opera, but wtf is up with the butterflyism in this version?

[NinjaPutz]

lmao I like it :D

[klaaudio16]

so stupid they translated the aria to english

the didn't even used the real meaning

mozart would die again if he was alive xD

[Luindriel]

Mozart would be happy that people are listening to his music and buying tickets to see his operas.

This english version was created to draw families to the opera, and it worked. Operas have always been translated into the native language of where they were being performed. It's only recently that everyone has become purist and snobby about it. ;)

[Lexigiggles]

So true, my aunt saw this version and loved it because she could nderstand

[JoeyOfBananas]

@Luindriel klaaudio did get something right: they didn't break their necks trying to transfer the meaning of the original libretto so don't discard his(her?) opinion completely

[llandudnoboy]

@klaaudio16

I quite agree

I know the surtitles are a damn nuisance with your neck having to strain looking up at them but if an opera is composed in a particular language then it should be sung in that language.

[reaceness]

@klaaudio16 i dont really think the words are the point of Opera, thats why we listen to operas in languages we dont understand.

[puffsplus72]

Weird staging, and I don't like her voice for some reason.

[ypofero86]

I absolutely Love Miklosa, but this isn't her best. Saw her do the queen of the night live in Pars (with the gastly Fura Dels Baus staging) that was the best I'd ever heard it sung, fast tempo with ritt on the right notes... Pure heaven.

Thanks for uploading this video Luindriel, love this staging!

[Ateusatisfeito]

Erika Miklosa is an interesting queen of the night.

[bruceagogox]

These videos are fantastic.

Not a huge fan of miklosa as the queen, unfortunately. Nathan Gunn and the tamino are fantastic.

[Luindriel]

The Tamino is Matthew Polenzani. Isn't he great?

I like this video from 3:39 to the end.

[bruceagogox]

Yes he's great!

I just wish miklosa's acting wasn't so untruthful. Like her vengeance aria is a mess acting-wise and not the best sung in my opinion of course.

[JoeyOfBananas]

@bruceagogox how come?

[SopranoLeggero]

Luindriel thank you for the video!