Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)


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Composers

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's Works
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

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.

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