Mes amis, écoutez l'histoire

"Mes amis, écoutez l'histoire", is a tenor aria in Adolphe Adam's 1836 opera Le postillon de Lonjumeau. The D₅ in the final verse is the highest written note for tenors in opera. although higher notes are occasionally sung in interpolations and ornaments in bel canto operas, e.g. the F₅, substituting the written D♭₅, at the end of "Credeasi, misera" in Bellini's I puritani.

Famous performers of this aria are Nicolai Gedda,^[1] Helge Rosvaenge and Joseph Schmidt, often performing the German version, "Freunde, vernehmet die Geschichte".

Lyrics

Mes amis écoutez l'histoire D'un jeune et galant postillon. C'est véridique, on peut m'en croire Et connu de tout le canton. Quand il passait dans un village, Tout le beau sexe était ravi Et le cœur de la plus sauvage Galopait en croupe avec lui. Oh Oh Oh Oh Qu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau Maintes dames de haut parage En l'absence de son mari Parfois se mettaient en voyage Pour être conduites par lui. Au procédé toujours fidèle On savait qu'adroit postillon S'il versait parfois une belle Ce n'était que sur le gazon. Oh Oh Oh Oh Qu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau Mais pour conduire un équipage, Voilà qu'un soir il est parti Depuis ce temps dans le village On n'entend plus parler de lui Mais ne déplorez pas sa perte Car de l'hymen suivant la loi La reine d'une île déserte De ses sujets l'a nommé roi. Oh Oh Oh Oh Qu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau

Come, friends, and listen to the story Of a postilion gay and young, Well known to all, his fame and glory Through ev'ry land have they been sung. When he did pass thro' town or village Each maiden's eye was fill'd with joy, And among hearts he made sad pillage He was a gay and roving boy.[2] Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! so great a beau Was the postilion of Lonjumeau. Fine ladies from the best circles, In the absence of their husbands, Sometimes used his coach To be led by him. Alway faithful to the journey The postilion's skills were well known – If he turned to a beauty It was only on the lawn. Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! so great a beau Was the postilion of Lonjumeau. But to lead a coach voyage He had left one evening; Since that time in the village Nothing more was heard of him. But we shall not deplore his parting Because he lawfully got married To a desert island's queen And became king of its people. Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! so great a beau Was the postilion of Lonjumeau.

References

1. ^ Mordden, Ethan (November 1980). The Splendid Art of Opera: A Concise History. Methuen. p. 157. ISBN 9780416007312. http://books.google.com/books?id=awUhAQAAIAAJ. Retrieved 7 April 2011. 
2. ^ "Two Parodies of French Opera Performed by Blackface Minstrels" by Renee Lapp Norris, in The Society for American Music Bulletin, vol. XXV, no. 1 ([northern] Spring 1999)

External links

• Nicolai Gedda on YouTube (German)
• Nicolai Gedda on YouTube (French) with English subtitles
• Nicolai Gedda on YouTube (French)
• Helge Rosvaenge on YouTube, third verse (German)
• Joseph Schmidt on YouTube (German)