Classical Music / Opera
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Bastien und Bastienne was one of Mozart's earliest Singspiel ( a form of German light opera, typically with spoken dialogue, popular especially in the late 18th century), written in 1768 when he was only twelve years old. It was allegedly commissioned by Viennese physician and 'magnetist' Dr. Franz Mesmer (who himself would later be parodied in Così fan tutte) as a satire of the 'pastoral' genre then prevalent. It is not clear whether this piece was performed in Mozart's lifetime.
The opera is written in both French and German manners. Many of the melodies are French in manner, but Bastienne's first aria is true German lied. This melody is also used in Mozart's Trio in G for Piano, Violin and Violoncello, K. 564 (1788). Another purely German lied is Bastienne's aria "I feel certain of his heart". Mozart utilizes the orchestra sparingly, with the exception of the reconciliation scene.
Libretto:
In German by Friedrich Wilhelm Weiskern, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Müller [de] and Johann Andreas Schachtner, based on Les Amours de Bastien et Bastienne by Justine Favart and Harny de Guerville. After its supposed premiere in Mesmer's garden theater (that is only corroborated by an unverified account of Nissen), it was not revived again until 1890, based on Marie Justine Benoite Favert's parody of Jean Jacques Rousseau's "Le Devin du Village."
Premiere:
Written by Mozart in 1768 when he was only 12 years old, the first known performance was on 2 October 1890 at Architektenhaus in Berlin.
Pastoral tale of 18th-century Europe. Arias, duets, one trio; recitative; dialogue.
The opening theme of Mozart's overture resembles that of the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony no. 3, Eroica (in a different key). It is unlikely that Beethoven was familiar with Mozart's youthful opera. In any case, opening a movement with an arpeggio of the tonic chord was an extremely common occurrence in the Classical period. The resemblance is likely coincidental.
Although he was very young, Mozart already had excellent vocal writing skills and a knack for parody and whimsy which would reach full flower in his later works. Bastien und Bastienne is possibly the easiest to perform of Mozart's juvenile works.
Characters:
Colas (being a soothsayer) knows all about the problem, and comforts her with the knowledge that Bastien has not abandoned her, rather, he's merely been distracted lately by 'the lady of the manor'. His advice is to arouse Bastien's jealousy and act coldly towards him, which will make him come running back.
Bastien is heard approaching, so Bastienne hides herself. Bastien swaggers in, proclaiming how much he loves Bastienne. Colas informs him that Bastienne has a new lover. Bastien is shocked and asks the magician for help. Colas opens his book of spells and recites a nonsense aria filled with random syllables and Latin quotations. Colas declares the spell a success and that Bastienne is in love with Bastien once more. Bastienne, however, decides to keep up the game a bit longer and spurns Bastien with great vehemence. Bastien threatens suicide, which Bastienne merely shrugs off.
Finally, the two decide that they have gone far enough with theor lover's quarrel and agree to reconcile. Colas joins them as they all sing a final trio in praise of the magician.
Resources:
1. Various reference materials from my Mozart library and other classical music reference materials, including opera books of Da Capo and Batta. / Tel
2. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
(c) October 2, 2010. Updated October 2, 2019. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Bastien und Bastienne was one of Mozart's earliest Singspiel ( a form of German light opera, typically with spoken dialogue, popular especially in the late 18th century), written in 1768 when he was only twelve years old. It was allegedly commissioned by Viennese physician and 'magnetist' Dr. Franz Mesmer (who himself would later be parodied in Così fan tutte) as a satire of the 'pastoral' genre then prevalent. It is not clear whether this piece was performed in Mozart's lifetime.
The opera is written in both French and German manners. Many of the melodies are French in manner, but Bastienne's first aria is true German lied. This melody is also used in Mozart's Trio in G for Piano, Violin and Violoncello, K. 564 (1788). Another purely German lied is Bastienne's aria "I feel certain of his heart". Mozart utilizes the orchestra sparingly, with the exception of the reconciliation scene.
Libretto:
In German by Friedrich Wilhelm Weiskern, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Müller [de] and Johann Andreas Schachtner, based on Les Amours de Bastien et Bastienne by Justine Favart and Harny de Guerville. After its supposed premiere in Mesmer's garden theater (that is only corroborated by an unverified account of Nissen), it was not revived again until 1890, based on Marie Justine Benoite Favert's parody of Jean Jacques Rousseau's "Le Devin du Village."
Premiere:
Written by Mozart in 1768 when he was only 12 years old, the first known performance was on 2 October 1890 at Architektenhaus in Berlin.
Pastoral tale of 18th-century Europe. Arias, duets, one trio; recitative; dialogue.
The opening theme of Mozart's overture resembles that of the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony no. 3, Eroica (in a different key). It is unlikely that Beethoven was familiar with Mozart's youthful opera. In any case, opening a movement with an arpeggio of the tonic chord was an extremely common occurrence in the Classical period. The resemblance is likely coincidental.
Although he was very young, Mozart already had excellent vocal writing skills and a knack for parody and whimsy which would reach full flower in his later works. Bastien und Bastienne is possibly the easiest to perform of Mozart's juvenile works.
Characters:
Bastien, a shepherd (tenor)
Bastienne,a shepherdess (Soprano)
Colas, a magician (bass)
One Act. (35
minutes)
Synopsis:
Place: A pastoral village
Time: Not determined
Bastienne, a shepherdess, is in love with Bastien. She fears that her "dearest friend", Bastien, has forsaken her for another pretty face and a wealthy girl. She decides to go into the pasture to be comforted by her flock of lambs. Before she can leave, however, she runs and complains to the magician Colas, the village soothsayer. Bastienne requests the help of his magical powers to help win back her Bastien.Place: A pastoral village
Time: Not determined
Colas (being a soothsayer) knows all about the problem, and comforts her with the knowledge that Bastien has not abandoned her, rather, he's merely been distracted lately by 'the lady of the manor'. His advice is to arouse Bastien's jealousy and act coldly towards him, which will make him come running back.
Bastien is heard approaching, so Bastienne hides herself. Bastien swaggers in, proclaiming how much he loves Bastienne. Colas informs him that Bastienne has a new lover. Bastien is shocked and asks the magician for help. Colas opens his book of spells and recites a nonsense aria filled with random syllables and Latin quotations. Colas declares the spell a success and that Bastienne is in love with Bastien once more. Bastienne, however, decides to keep up the game a bit longer and spurns Bastien with great vehemence. Bastien threatens suicide, which Bastienne merely shrugs off.
Finally, the two decide that they have gone far enough with theor lover's quarrel and agree to reconcile. Colas joins them as they all sing a final trio in praise of the magician.
Resources:
1. Various reference materials from my Mozart library and other classical music reference materials, including opera books of Da Capo and Batta. / Tel
2. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
(c) October 2, 2010. Updated October 2, 2019. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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