Fiakermilli

Fiakermilli (Strauss: Arabella). Soprano. The mascot at the Cabbies' Ball in Vienna. Mandryka flirts with her when he believes Arabella to be unfaithful. She sings a florid coloratura aria, embellished with much yodelling, requiring vocal flexibility and control. Aria: Die Wiener Herrn verstehn sich auf die Astronomie (‘The gentlemen of Vienna understand about astronomy’). This role has been outstandingly sung in recent years by Edita Gruberova, Lillian Watson, Natalie Dessay, and Inger DamJensen. Created (1933) by Ellice Illiard.