BWV 216a Erwählte Pleißenstadt (Apollo et
Mercurius)
Congratulatory Cantata for the Leipzig Town Council. Picander? Text-manuscript; Facs and apograph: Neumann T, p. 456. After 1728, Leipzig; Parody: 1, 3, 5, 7 ← BWV 216/1, 3, 5, 7. BG 34, Vorwort; NBA I/39, Krit. Bericht. The English translation follows this transcription of the manuscript, Newmann, pp. 456-61. P. 613 (1.) Aria à duetto (T,A) Apollo, Mercurius {Erwählte/Vergnügte} Pleißen Stadt (2.) Recit. (T) Apollo Ihr Städte die man in der Welt (3.) Aria (T) Apollo Angenehmes Pleiß Athen (4.) Recit. (A) Mercurius Nicht die Gelehrsamkeit allein (5.) Aria (A) Mercurius Mit lachen u. Scherzen (6.) Recit. (A,T) Mercurius, Apollo (Mercurius) (Apollo) (Mercurius) (Apollo) (7.) Aria à duetto (A,T) Mercurius, Apollo (Mercurius) (Apollo) (a 2) Apollo (T) and Mercury (A)(1) 1. Aria a duetto (T, A) Apollo, Mercury (Apollo and Mercury)
2. Recit. (T) Apollo Ye cities which of all the world 3. Aria (T) Apollo Athens of the charming Pleiss,Just as diamonds last forever, Even so will thy walled towers E’er unshaken firmly stand, Athens of the charming Pleiss, Athens of the world-famed Pleiss, Who hath heard thee, who thee names, Who thee loveth, who thee knows Will thy praise yet more exalt, Athens of the world-famed Pleiss. 4. Recit. (A) Mercury Not just on scholarship alone, O Leipzig, must thy fortune rest. My commerce, which I here Have always planted, Creates for thee The major part of all thy glory, And thee, belovéd market place, Will I as a most treasured prize Within my spirit carry, To all the world of thy repute proclaiming: 5. Aria (A) Mercury With laughing and joking, 6. Recit. (A, T) Mercury, Apollo (Mercury)Thus it is sure, Thy light will see no darkness fall. (Apollo) This means, while those Who at the helm are sitting Through care and toil This prosp’rous fortune are sustaining, (Mercury) And heaven crowns them all for this With an unbounded store of pleasure. (Apollo) Thus, Leipzig, will thy happiness Rise higher than it is already. 7. Aria a duetto (A, T) Mercury, Apollo (Mercury) Health and blessing Bring you, precious throng, their service, As a stream the fields goes by. (Apollo) And the pleasure which ye have Would and will in springs be welling, Milder than a stream is flowing. (Apollo and Mercury) So bide now thy {knowledge in flower/commerce with increase} e’er blest, For thus will the ages with honor be crowned. 1. The names and the voices are given in the text-manuscript. In this Drama per musica Apollo will represent Leipzig as a center of learning, while Mercury, the god of youth, thieves, trickery (he invented the first musical instrument!), and commerce, will represent Leipzig's commercial power. The youthful gaiety of the god is seen in 5. 2. The Pleisse is one of the small rivers upon which Leipzig lies. Cf BWV 216. 3. The clever Mercury produces a false etymology
between Verleib 'leave, bequeath' and Leipzig. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |