Classical Music Discoveries

Most boys, at the age of 12, are more interested in sports, computers and video games in today’s world. However, when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was 12 he aspired to greater things, like composing his first Mass, Mass in C minor heard in a previous broadcast, and also composing his first complete opera, “Bastien and Bastienne.”

“Bastien and Bastienne” is a one-act song-play or singspiel which is a sub-genre of opera.

This comic opera was composed in 1768 and was allegedly commissioned by the Viennese physician Dr. Franz Mesmer. The premier took place in Mesmer’s garden theater and was not performed again until 1890 in Berlin.

You will notice that the overture uses the same opening theme as Beethoven’s Symphony number 3. It is doubtful that Beethoven was familiar with this unpublished work. A more likely explanation is that both composers took the theme from another unknown source, possibly an Austrian or German piece of folk music.

The opera opens in a pastoral village. The time is indeterminate.

Bastienne, a shepherdess, fears that her "dearest friend", Bastien, has forsaken her for another pretty face, and decides to go into the pasture to be comforted by her flock of lambs.

Before she can leave, however, she runs into Colas, the village soothsayer. Bastienne requests the help of his magical powers to help win back her Bastien. Colas 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 act coldly towards Bastien, 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 and agree to reconcile. Colas joins them as they all sing a final trio in praise of the magician.

This opera is performed by the CMD Philharmonic of Paris and is conducted by Dominique Beaulieu. This rarely heard opera is available now at ClassicalRecordings.co