Bastien and Bastienne

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

History and Synopsis

Written in 1768 when Mozart was twelve, Bastien and Bastienne (Bastien et Bastienne/Bastien Und Bastienne) is based upon the The Loves of Bastien and Bastienne (Les amours de Bastien et Bastienne) by Marie-Justine-Benoîte Favart and Harny de Guerville. This in turn was a parody/adaptation of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's operatic intermezzo The Village Soothsayer (Le devin du village).

Bastien and Bastienne draws from the ideas of Pastoral innocence both dramatically and musically. It is composed as a one-act singspiel (spoken dialogue between music numbers) and it's small casting and short length makes it particularly well suited for modest staging.

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Librettist: Friedrich Wilhelm Weiskern with possible contributions from Johann H.F. Müller and Johann Andreas Schachtner
Parody: Harny de Guerville and Charles-Simon Favart/Marie-Justine-Benoîte Favart (Les Amours de Bastien et Bastienne, 1753)
Dramatist: Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Le Devin du Village, 1752)
Catalog: KV 50 (46b)

SYNOPSIS:

ACT I

Bastienne pines for her sweetheart Bastien who has has left for the city. While she has been tending her sheep, Bastien has been seduced by the shine and glamour of both the city and a wealthy lady. Upon the recommendation of Colas, when Bastien returns Bastienne plays hard-to-get so cruelly that the distraught and ill-loving Bastien is brought to the brink of suicide. Finally realizing their transcendent love, the two sheepherders discard pretence and reaffirm their mutual love for each other.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE / CHARACTERS:

Bastienne, a shepherdess- Soprano
Bastien, her sweetheart - Tenor
Colas, a magician- Bass

SONG LIST:

Intrada.

ACT I:

1 Aria (Bastienne) 'Mein Liebster Freund Hat Mich Verlassen'- My dearest Friend has gone forever
2 Aria (Bastienne) 'Ich Geh' Jetzt Auf Die Weide' - I'll go and Roam the meadow
3 (Orchestra interlude)
4 Aria (Colas) 'Befraget Mich Ein Zartes Kind' - Now if I meet a tender maid
5 Aria (Bastienne) 'Wenn Mein Bastien Einst Im Scherze' - My dear bastien, once in jesting
6 Aria (Bastienne) 'Wuerd' Ich Auch, Wie Manche Buhlerinnen' - Were I, too like many other maidens
7 Duetto (Colas, Bastienne) 'Auf Den Rat, Den Ich Gegeben' - This advice that I'm confiding
8 Aria (Bastien) 'Grossen Dank Dir Abzustatten' - Grateful thanks I came to offer
9 Aria (Bastien) 'Geh! Du Sagst Mir Eine Fabel' - No! your tale is just a fable
10 Aria (Colas) 'Diggi, daggi' - Digger, dagger, scurry, hurry
11 Aria (Bastien) 'Meiner Liebsten Schoene Wangen' - To my sweetheart I'm returning
12 Aria (Bastienne) 'Er War Mir Sonst Treu Und Ergeben' - Bastien was not false and unfaithful
13 Aria (Bastien, Bastienne) 'Geh' Hin! Dein Trotz Soll Mich Nicht Schrenken' - Then go! Then go!Your spite won't make me worry
14 Recitativo (Bastien, Bastienne) 'Dein Trotzt Vermehrt Sich Durch Mein Leiden?' - Your scorn increases as I suffer
15 Duetto (Bastienne, Bastien) 'Geh! Herz Von Flandern!' - Go, go,go, false and heartless
16 Terzetto (Colas, Bastien, Bastienne) 'Kinder! Seht Nach Sturm Und Regen' - Children, children, see, from storm and raining