In defence of the libretto and the librettist

Theatres offered something for everyone in the 19th century, presenting recitals and opera, Shakespearean plays, or lively mixed programmes of comedy, song and dance that attracted enthusiastic – and

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The Coffee Cantata wasn’t JS Bach’s sole foray into humour and social commentary. Written for a birthday celebration in 1742, his Peasant Cantata BWV 212 sets words by Picander in a 24-movement work f

A composer’s idiosyncratic guide to western classical music

From espresso machine to percolator, there are many ways to make a cup of coffee, and such is the case with Bach’s cantata, too. Sporting just two soloists plus cameo narrator, tracking down a vocal d