5033 – Der Hölle Rache

W. A. Mozart

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: solo - difficult; ensemble - medium

Price: £20.00

Programme notes:
In 1791 Mozart was asked by his friend, Emanuel Schikenader, to provide him with a new opera, in German, for his popular opera house, Theater auf der Wieden, and to make sure that it would appeal to all classes. The opera, 'Die Zauberflöte', was a huge box-office success but not simply because Mozart had 'written-down'. The plot was designed on several levels, from the simple comic business of Papageno, through the tests of faithfulness and love of Tamino, to the philosophical symbolism of the Masonic movement. The score is full of sublime music, simple in appeal yet overladen with Mozart's greatest subtelty of expression.
The Queen of the Night is a demonic character, played in the first performances by Mozart's sister-in law, Josepha Hofer. Her music is mostly extravagantly coloratura. Der Hölle Rache, (The revenge of Hell) is the 2nd of her 2 arias.

Performance notes:
The solo part is best played on a piccolo Bb but could be tackled successfully on an Eb trumpet or cornet.
The style should be dramatic but controlled and elegant. The accompaniment should at all times be played with rhythmic vigour but with a light sound; forte markings and sforzandos should be kept in context.