Johann Sebastian Bach wrote not only church cantatas, but also secular cantatas with far from religious motifs. Bach’s only comedy, called Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht became popularly known as the Coffee Cantata. The lyricist Christian Friedrich Henrici – also known as Picander – pokes fun at the fashionable habit of coffee drinking. The composition came about when Bach directed a series of concerts at Café Zimmermann (Zimmermannsches Kaffeehaus), so in keeping with tradition, we’re presenting this piece in our own foyer café.
In the cantata, a father (bass, of course) scolds his soprano daughter for drinking too much coffee, preferably served by the virtuoso tenor barista. She herself cannot get enough of this stimulant.
In this laid-back atmosphere you will encounter Göteborg Opera soloists Mia Karlsson, Daniel Ralphsson and Mats Persson under the spirited direction of Andreas Björklund, as they discuss the pros and cons of what we Swedes like to call “fika”.
It will be performed in Swedish in a vivacious new translation.
Is excessive coffee drinking harmful? Join us in the foyer for a cup of coffee and snacks and find out for yourself!
