Epiphany Post...

This clip has nothing to do with Epiphany, it's just that today is that Festival.  Anyway, here are two clips of the "Der Hölle Rache" from the Magic Flute.  Clip 1 with Diana Damrau in a very colorful production from Salzburg 2006. Damrau is a great actress and the long dialog clip before the aria is very captivating.  She sings the aria gloriously - except that the tempo is slow and I get the feeling that she is uncomfortable, as she seems to always be rushing.  It is too bad that this conductor took this so slow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4zqPDNigrw

Ok - clip two - is not nearly as well acted.  It is from a very traditional production and the Queen is sung by Elena Mosuc.  The coloratura is beautiful - very bell-like.  The tempo is much, much better, in my view.  Well done....  enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bofe64-dG0A

Finally - to balance - Matti Salminen sings the aria "In diesen heil'gen Hallen"  I am a big fan of his.  His voice is so smooth and beautiful.... Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdRaAtfgM