Liebes Manndel, wo is's Bandel?, K. 441
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
This trio is a little joke dating from about 1783. The story behind it is told in an edition of Mozart's works published in 1799, shortly after his death. One time when Mozart and his wife Constanze were hurriedly getting dressed to go out, Constanze could not find a ribbon that she needed. She called out to her husband, "My dear almond, where's the ribbon?" Mozart answered her, starting a bantering dialogue. Their friend Gottfried von Jacquin, who was waiting for them, helped them find the ribbon, and they all three heroically celebrated their success. The Mozarts and Jacquin found the incident funny and had the idea of setting it to music. Mozart then wrote this trio for the three of them to sing. It is set for soprano (Constanze), tenor (Mozart), and bass (Jacquin) with strings. The text, probably also written by Mozart, is in Viennese dialect.
Boston Baroque Performances
Liebes Manndel, wo is's Bandel?, K. 441
March 5, 1993
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Jayne West, soprano
Frank Kelley, tenor
David Evitts, baritone