Frank Sinatra used to say: “Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy!”
Humanity invented booze a long time ago and it’s been used for relaxation and having a good time for ages by now. It is believed that creative professions are more prone to alcohol consumption, as people of art have been finding it helpful in terms of stimulating the imagination. Musicians being perhaps one of the most widespread layers of creative workers are therefore known for make use of the power of drinks too. Liquors have various effects on them: some are just inspired by them, others are encouraged for something, and someone suffers from the abuse.
Today we’ll talk about the specific genre of a “drinking song”, i.e. the type of composition that was used at the so-to-say ‘parties’ at various periods of the history as a uniting element either to cheer up the people and get them closer together or to encourage further drinking. But the choice of the drinking songs will be specific too: we have looked for such pieces among the works of classical composers. What we’ve found in there – for your attention.
“Festival Overture” by Johannes Brahms
In 1879, Brahms was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Breslau (current Wrocław, Poland). Honored by the occasion, the thankful composer sent a note of gratitude to the university officials. However, the management thought it wasn’t enough and asked Brahms to make something grander than that, for example, compose a symphony! Expecting a well-orchestrated serious music work, they couldn’t believe what their honoured doctor came up with. Instead of a deeply ambitious symphony, Brahms orchestrated a what could rather be called a potpourri of drinking songs for students. He conducted the premiere if the “Festival Overture” himself and did it, as it’s noted, very contentedly. Unlike the university management, obviously disappointed by the result of the pay-back, the students stayed more than happy with the new ‘drinking music’.
Academic Festival Overture at the Royal Albert Hall
“Ah! Quel Diner” by Jacques Offenbach
In 1988, the author of the famous “Can Can” composed the three-act operetta titled “La Périchole”. This is a story about two poor street singers from Peru – too poor to get married officially (get a marriage license). The tipsy aria ‘Ah! Quel Diner” (‘Ah! What a diner’) is definitely a highlight of the opera bouffe. It is performed by Périchole in an inebriated, least to say, condition, and is sung before the ‘unaware marriage’ with her beloved Piquillo. Well, Piquillo is both jolly and unaware too. In the scene below, the part of Périchole is brilliantly performed by Joan Sutherland who theatrically accompanies her aria with the hiccups.
The Wedding Scene from La Périchole
“Finch’han dal Vino” by Mozart
This is the original Italian title of the famous aria from Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” which is also known as ‘the Champagne aria’. In the opera, the aria is performed by the famous seducer Giovanni as an order for his servant called Leporello. According to the song’s lyrics, Giovanni is preparing for a night-long party, so he tells the servant to get stocked up on vine enough for everyone to drunk on. A perfect drinking song with a classical flavour.
Finch’han dal Vino (Peter Mattei, La Scala)
“Libiamo Ne’Lieti Calici” by Giuseppe Verdi
“Let's Drink from the Joyful Cups" is the English version of the popular drinking aria from Verdi’s “La Traviata”. The young but modest Alfredo is convinced by his friend Gastone and his crush Violetta Valéry to put his beautiful voice on display. Alfredo starts singing his brindisi and the two join him in the rapturous chorus: “Ah! Let's drink, and the love among the chalices will make the kisses warmer.” The duo is considered to be one of the most popular singing choices for tenors today.
Libiamo Ne’Lieti Calici by the Three Famous Tenors
“Votre Toast” by Georges Bizet
There’s only one small reference to drinking in this aria from Bizet’ “Carmen”. However, it doesn’t make it a less suitable drinking song out there. “Votre Toast” (‘your toast’) is better known under the popular title “Toreador Song” and is a perfect ode to accompany an indulgent night. You be the judge!
Votre Toast / Toreador Song (Erwin Schrott)
“Certain Rat, dans la Cuisine” by Hector Berlioz
This song translated as ‘a certain rat in the kitchen’ is part of Berlioz’ 1846 opera “The Damnation of Faust”. The composition is basically a sorrowful tale about a rat that got killed by a portion of poison in a kitchen. Why a drinking song, you’ll ask? Well, because according to the plot, it was sung as such by a student, already drunk, and sung as a preface to and encouragement for further drinking.
La Damnation de Faust, Chanson de Brander (Montréal Symphony Orchestra and Chorus)
Drinking song can be, as it turns out, an important prelude-and-part of a feast. So next time you are going to have a party, may you consider one of these classical brindisi. Have any special song preferences on the topic? Drop them up here on the playlist and let’s have a drink!
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