Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Born in Salzburg, the son of a composer, Mozart was a musical
prodigy. From a very early age, his father exhibited him in Paris,
Munich, London, and Vienna. From his travels with his father, Mozart was
exposed to a wide variety of musical styles. From a very early age,
Mozart showed a mastery of the operatic style. At the age of 12, he
composed the singspiel, "Bastien and Bastienne," and a year later, the
opera buffe, "La Finta Semplice."
In 1775, Mozart held an unrewarding position in the Salzburg court. Mozart
traveled widely with his mother, searching for a more prestigious position,
but none materialized. While in Munich in 1781, he composed the opera,
"Idomeneo." He later resigned from his post in Salzburg, taking up
permanent residence in Vienna in the hopes of becoming a court composer.
There he married Constanze Weber.
Mozart met with moderate success in Vienna. It was there that he composed
the singspiel, "Die Entführung aus dem Serail," and the popular "Marriage
of Figaro." The success of "Figaro" resulted in a commission for "Don
Giovanni," composed in 1787. Also in that year, Mozart received an
appointment to the Vienna court. The prestigious appointment did not solve
Mozart's chronic financial problems. His prospects did not improve either,
when the unsympathetic Leopold II ascended to the throne.
With his health deteriorating, Mozart composed the opera, "La Clemenza
di Tito" for the new emperor's coronation.
Mozart died in Vienna in 1791 at the age of 35.
Mozart's Operas
- 1768 Bastien und Bastienne
- 1769 La Finta Semplice
- 1770 Mitridate, Rè di Ponto
- 1772 Lucio Silla
- 1775 La Finta Giardiniera
- 1775 Il Rè Pastore
- 1781 Idomeneo
- 1782 Die Entführung aus dem Serail
- 1782 Der Schauspieldirektor
- 1786 Le Nozze di Figaro
- 1787 Don Giovanni
- 1790 Così Fan Tutte
- 1791 La Clemenza di Tito
- 1791 Die Zauberflöte
