Classical music isn’t all serious symphonies and grand operas - it also knows how to party.
For centuries, composers have celebrated the joys of drinking with raucous, rollicking tunes that capture the spirit of a good toast. From operatic arias to orchestral dances, classical drinking songs bring laughter, camaraderie, and the occasional tipsy stumble to the concert hall.
Whether it’s the lively 'Brindisi' ('Toasts') from La Traviata or Beethoven’s high-spirited songs, these pieces prove that classical composers knew how to raise a glass in style. So, pour yourself a drink, and let’s dive into the most famous drinking songs in classical music.
The most famous classical drinking songs
1. Purcell: ‘I gave her cakes and I gave her ale’
Locked out of the house by his wife after a drunken night at the theatre, Henry 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.’
2. 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.
3. Verdi: 'Brindisi’ ('Toasts')
‘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?
Here's a suitably boisterous version from the great Luciano Pavarotti and friends.
4. Romberg: 'Drinking Song'
This song by the Hungarian-born American composer Sigmund Romberg (1887-1951) certainly wins first prize for realism. It comes from Romberg's 1924 operetta The Student Prince. All soaring melodies and heartfelt drama, the operetta follows Prince Karl Franz, who falls in love with a tavern keeper’s daughter while studying in Heidelberg. Torn between duty and love, he ultimately chooses responsibility over romance, leading to a bittersweet ending.
Tenor Mario Lanza found success with his recording of the song for the 1954 movie, which was also released on vinyl that same year. Originally set to play the lead role, Lanza parted ways with the studio during production. As a result, Edmund Purdom stepped in as his replacement, but rather than singing himself, he lip-synced to Lanza's pre-recorded performances in the film.
5. Beethoven: 'Song of the Flea'
Beethoven wasn’t exactly known for writing drinking songs, but he did enjoy a good toast! While most of his choral works are serious and profound, he had a playful side when it came to music and alcohol. One of his most notable 'boozy' works is Song of the Flea (Es war einmal ein König, Op. 75, No. 3), a humorous drinking song adapted from Goethe’s Faust, where Mephistopheles sings about a flea causing chaos in a king’s court.
Here's the great Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau enjoying a lighter moment with Song of the Flea.
More memorable classical drinking songs
6. Berlioz: ‘Certain rat, dans une cuisine’
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 choral/orchestral work 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.
7. Offenbach: ‘Ah! Quel dîner’
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.
8. Mozart: ‘Finch’han dal vino’ ('As long as the wine')
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 (no surprise here) Mozart onto the greatest opera composers!
Here's a nicely high-spirited performance from the brilliant Bryn Terfel.
9. Mascagni: ‘Viva il vino spumeggiante’
‘Hail to the bubbling wine!’ Amen. It seems at this point in Pietro Mascagni’s 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…
10. Bizet: 'Toreador Song' 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.