The concert was held as part of the “Bah… Cafè!” project, supported by the Municipality of Tirana, offering a unique artistic experience that combined baroque music, theatrical interpretation and humour in an open-air setting surrounded by nature.

The performance was warmly received by the audience, who experienced Bach’s work in a format blending musical expression with stage performance and comedy. The Agency for Parks and Recreation contributed to bringing the concert to life in the surroundings of the Artificial Lake Park.

Written between 1732 and 1734, “Coffee Cantata” is one of Bach’s best-known secular cantatas. Originally composed for performance at Zimmermann’s Coffee House by Leipzig’s Collegium Musicum, with a libretto by Picander, the work humorously explores the social debate surrounding coffee consumption in 18th-century Germany.

The cantata tells the story of a father who tries to persuade his daughter Lieschen to give up her love for coffee, threatening to restrict her freedoms, including her outings, new clothes and even marriage. Despite his efforts, Lieschen refuses to abandon her favourite drink, describing it as sweeter than a thousand kisses.

The story concludes with a humorous twist, as Lieschen appears to compromise but secretly decides she will only marry a man who allows her to drink coffee whenever she wishes – ending the work with a playful message that the habit will continue through generations.

The Tirana performance offered audiences a fresh encounter with Bach’s music, highlighting the enduring appeal of a centuries-old work that continues to combine wit, social commentary and artistic elegance.

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