Cree Carrico as Lizzie, and David Neal as Buzzkill in J.S. Bach’s and Picander’s Coffee Cantata, music arranged by Robert Paterson and text transcribed by David Cote.

Online premiere of a contemporary adaptation of J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata (Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht, a.k.a. “Coffee Cantata” BWV 211); arranged by Robert Paterson; Libretto: Christian Friedrich Henrici (a.k.a. Picander); translated by David Cote.

More than just an English version of the German libretto by Christian Friedrich Henrici, this new work aims for a “fresh-brewed” vision of the father-daughter conflict over java.

Despite references to SUVs, smartphones, and throuples, Cote’s new libretto retains the essential plot: a frustrated father tries to convince his coffee-chugging daughter to forsake the bean. When the father dangles marriage as a bargaining tool, they reach a decaffeinated détente. 

Paterson’s transcription updates Bach's original Baroque ensemble to a similar, yet more contemporary classical instrumentation, consisting of flute, string quartet, and piano, and with the tenor and baritone roles switched to baritone and bass baritone, respectively. This instrumentation is also used for Paterson and Cote’s Cocoa Cantata.

Directed by Jeanne Goddard

CAST
AMARA BLISS: Cree Carrico, Soprano:
BOBBY WONDERS IV: Steven Stull, Baritone
SNACKWRIGHT: David Neal, Bass-Baritone

AMERICAN MODERN ENSEMBLE
Robert Paterson, Conductor
John Romeri, Flute
Geoffrey Burleson, Piano
Bryan Hernandez-Luch, Violin I
Victoria Paterson, Violin II
Hiroko Taguchi, Viola
Peter Sachon, Cello

Made possible in part with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, CNY Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund (A Statewide Theatre Regrant Program), and from the NYSCA Decentralization Program, administered by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. Tompkins Trust Company is the 2021 season sponsor for Triphammer Arts.