Mes amis, écoutez l'histoire explained

"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 commonly sung note for tenors in opera. Donizetti wrote an E₅ for Edgardo in the first act of his opera Lucia di Lammermoor, though it is very seldom sung. Higher notes are occasionally sung in interpolations and ornaments in other bel canto operas, and exceptionally the written F₅ 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'histoireD'un jeune et galant postillon.C'est véridique, on peut m'en croireEt connu de tout le canton.Quand il passait dans un village,Tout le beau sexe était raviEt le cœur de la plus sauvageGalopait en croupe avec lui. Oh Oh Oh OhQu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau Maintes dames de haut parageEn l'absence de son mariParfois se mettaient en voyagePour être conduites par lui.Au procédé toujours fidèleOn savait qu'adroit postillonS'il versait parfois une belleCe n'était que sur le gazon. Oh Oh Oh OhQu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau Mais pour conduire un équipage,Voilà qu'un soir il est partiDepuis ce temps dans le villageOn n'entend plus parler de luiMais ne déplorez pas sa perteCar de l'hymen suivant la loiLa reine d'une île déserteDe ses sujets l'a nommé roi. Oh Oh Oh OhQu'il était beau le postillon de Lonjumeau	Come, friends, and listen to the storyOf a postilion gay and young,Well known to all, his fame and gloryThrough ev'ry land have they been sung.When he did pass thro' town or villageEach maiden's eye was fill'd with joy,And among hearts he made sad pillageHe was a gay and roving boy.^[2] Oh! Oh	Oh! Oh	so great a beauWas the postilion of Lonjumeau. Fine ladies from the best circles,In the absence of their husbands,Sometimes used his coachTo be led by him.Alway faithful to the journeyThe postilion's skills were well known –If he turned to a beautyIt was only on the lawn. Oh! Oh	Oh! Oh	so great a beauWas the postilion of Lonjumeau. But to lead a coach voyageHe had left one evening;Since that time in the villageNothing more was heard of him.But we shall not deplore his partingBecause he lawfully marriedA desert island's queenAnd became king of its people. Oh! Oh	Oh! Oh	so great a beauWas the postilion of Lonjumeau.

External links

• • • , third verse

Notes and References

1. Book: Mordden , Ethan. Ethan Mordden

   . Ethan Mordden. The Splendid Art of Opera: A Concise History. November 1980. Methuen. 978-0-416-00731-2. 157.

2. http://www.american-music.org/publications/bullarchive/Norris.html "Two Parodies of French Opera Performed by Blackface Minstrels"