Here are some favourite pieces of classical music with somewhat bibulous associations. Yes, it's our list of the best classical drinking songs. Cheers!
Classical drinking songs
Henry Purcell - various, actually
Locked out of the house by his wife after a drunken night at the theatre, Purcell caught a chill and died at the age of 36. Or so the myth goes. Regardless of whether or not it brought him to an untimely end, there can be no doubt that Purcell liked a good tipple. Amongst his many drinking songs are excellent titles such as ‘I gave her cakes and I gave her ale’ and ‘Wine in a morning makes us frolic and gay.’
Johannes Brahms - Academic Festival Overture
In 1879 the University of Breslau awarded Brahms an honorary doctorate. After sending a letter of thanks, he was informed that the University expected a grander statement than a mere note. 'Compose a fine symphony for us!' wrote conductor Bernard Scholz; 'but well orchestrated, old boy, not too uniformly thick.'
Rather than the honourable gesture that the University had requested, Brahms orchestrated a 'very boisterous potpourri of student drinking songs', the premiere of which he conducted (gleefully) in 1881. Though university officials were less than impressed, we can safely assume that the students appreciated the effort.
Giuseppe Verdi - 'Libiamo ne’lieti calici’ from La traviata
‘Let’s drink…and may the brief moment be inebriated with voluptuousness’ sings the young romantic Alfredo in this most famous of drinking songs from Verdi's famous opera La traviata. He wins Violetta and the entire chorus over, and they quickly join in this rapturous song. Well, wouldn’t you?
Sigmund Romberg - Drinking song from The Student Prince
This song certainly wins first prize for realism. The students of Heidelberg's cry of ‘Drink! Drink! Drink’ is the most manageable drinking song of any on this list, though its operetta (think Gilbert and Sullivan) style has nothing on Verdi.
More memorable classical drinking songs
Hector Berlioz - ‘Certain rat, dans la cusine’ from The Damnation of Faust
This is a sad tale of a rat who, after living the high life in a kitchen, is killed by a dose of poison. The aria from Berlioz's La damnation de Faust makes it onto our list because it is sung, by an already inebriated student, as a prelude to more drinking. In the opera it is followed by a tale of a flea who brings his relative to infest a whole royal court. Flea 1, Rat 0.
Jacques Offenbach - ‘Ah! Quel dîner’ from La Périchole
Perhaps the best thing about this song is the wonderful performance by Dame Joan Sutherland (below), which comes with hiccups included. In true Offenbach style, Périchole (Sutherland) is about to get married to her equally drunk (and totally unaware) lover, Piquillo.
Mozart - ‘Finch’han dal vino’ from Don Giovanni
Traditionally performed with a glass of bubbly in one hand, this drinking song has earned the rather classy alternative name of ‘the Champagne aria’. In it, Mozart's operatic hero Giovanni orders his servant Leporello to make ready for a party. There must be a great feast with enough wine for everyone to get drunk on, and dancing that will last all night long.
- Don Giovanni made it onto our list of the greatest operas of all time...
- ... and Mozart onto the greatest opera composers!
Pietro Mascagni - ‘Intanto, amici, qua…Viva il vino spumeggiante’ from Cavalleria Rusticana
‘Hail to the bubbling wine!’ Amen. It seems at this point in Mascagni’s verismo opera Cavalleria Rusticana that all will be well. Sadly that isn’t quite the case (due to a somewhat overdramatic bite on the ear) but it doesn’t diminish the sheer joy of this party scene.
And an imposter…
Georges Bizet - ‘Votre toast’ from Carmen
This is often called a drinking song, despite only one tiny reference to booze! Still, a more rousing ode you will not find - the perfect tune for an indulgent evening. Well done, Georges Bizet. Next round is on you.