Coffee Cantata

In 1732, J. S. Bach composed a comical mini-opera about the coffee craze that swept through Leipzig and all of Europe. The beautiful and previously ever-so-agreeable Lieschen is given a taste of coffee and becomes infatuated with this new and refreshing beverage. Her father, Schlendrian, fears that his daughter will remain an old maid and that he will have to keep providing for her. Despite her father trying to intimidate her, the daughter does not give up coffee, and the father eventually sets out to find a spouse for her himself. The daughter swears that she will only agree to marry someone if she is allowed to drink as much coffee as she pleases. Now where to find a groom accepting of his bride constantly sipping coffee?

Coffee Cantata was translated into Finnish and is directed by Reetta Ristimäki and stars Johanna Engelbarth, Jasper Leppänen and Jyri Lahtinen. The performance is accompanied by the Baroque orchestra Ensemble Nylandia.

Composition: J. S. Bach
Translation and direction: Reetta Ristimäki
Vocal coaching: Matias Häkkinen
Costume design: Marja Uusitalo
Choreography: Maria Hostikka
Makeup design: Ari Haapaniemi
Graphic design: Tanja Ahola
Production: Greta Tuotanto

The concert is included in the price of admission (€16/11), no separate fee. We accept the Museum Card.