Coffee addiction in the 18th Century

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a cantata called ‘Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht’ (Be still, stop chattering) around 1732.

At the time coffee addiction was a problem in Austria, and the cantata satirises this through the tale of a woman missing her wedding day because she can’t walk away from her coffee:

Schlendrian: If you don’t give up drinking coffee then you shan’t go to any wedding feast, nor go out walking. Oh! when will I get my way; give up coffee!


Lieschen Oh well! Just leave me my coffee!

Enjoy a more up to date performance here:

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