WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, the son of the Salzburg court violinist and
deputy conductor Leopold Mozart.
The child prodigy "Wolferl" enjoyed a conscientious, versatile and cleverly guided education from his father. Concert tours took the piano-playing young Mozart all over Europe. At the right moment, his father knew how to push back the virtuoso trait in favor of the creative one. Mozart became one of the most versatile geniuses of musical art, who created something immortal in all areas of music. The Köchel catalog, which lists Mozart's oeuvre, comprises 626 works of the most diverse musical styles and types. These include sacred and secular music, vocal and instrumental works.
No other musician from the 18th century has left behind music that has retained its freshness so vividly and has such an immediate effect on today's stage as the works of this probably greatest and most famous Austrian of all time.
THE WONDER CHILD
1756 – 1791
1756
Birth
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg as the seventh child of Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart. He is given the baptismal name Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, known as Wolfgang or Wolferl.
1761
First musical education
Leopold Mozart records his son Wolfgang's first compositions, including Andante and Allegro. Wolfgang begins to learn the piano, violin and composition at the age of four.
1762
First performances
Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl give their first public performances and the family undertakes their first concert tours to Munich and Vienna.
1763
Tournee
The Mozart family undertakes an extensive tour of Germany and Western Europe, which lasts three years. Mozart's first sonatas for piano and violin and his first symphony in E flat major are composed during these travels.
1770
Studying in Italy
Mozart travels to Italy and studies counterpoint with Father Giovanni Battista Martini in Bologna. He is accepted into the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna and sees the world premiere of his opera seria Mitridate, Rè di Ponto in Milan.
1771
Return to Salzburg
Mozart returns to Salzburg after hopes of a position in Italy have not been fulfilled.
1772
Concertmaster in Salzburg
In August, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is appointed paid concertmaster of the Salzburg court orchestra. Despite this appointment, he continues to travel a lot with his father and tries to escape the strict rules of service in Salzburg.
1773
Premiere of Lucio Silla and Exsultate
First performance of Lucio Silla and Exsultate, jubilate During his third trip to Italy, which lasted from October 1772 to March 1773, the first performance of Lucio Silla takes place and he composes Exsultate, jubilate. It is also the year of his third trip to Vienna and the composition of his first piano concerto.
1774
Premiere of La finta giardiniera
On December 6, Mozart travels to Munich for the premiere of the opera buffa La finta giardiniera. This trip marks a break in his attempts to establish himself as a musician in Salzburg.
1775
First performance of Il rè pastore
Despite his efforts to establish himself in Salzburg, Mozart's music met with little approval from the public, as at the premiere of Il rè pastore on April 23, 1775. He experienced repeated failures and finally handed in his resignation in 1777.
1777
Dismissal from the Prince's service
After his dismissal from the prince's service, Mozart sets off on a journey to find new employment. He tries his luck in various cities, including Munich and Paris.
1778
Death of his mother
Mozart's mother dies on July 3, 1778. He reluctantly returns to Salzburg to take up the post of court organist, which he performs satisfactorily for 20 months before finally resigning.
1780
First performance of Idomeneo
Mozart takes part in the premiere of his opera seria Idomeneo in Munich. After further disputes with the archbishop, he resigns from his post in Salzburg on June 8, 1781 and settles in Vienna.
1782
Premiere of Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Mozart, now independent and in search of patrons, made his debut on July 16 with this Singspiel, which was commissioned by Emperor Joseph II and was a great success.
1784
Entry into the Vienna Masonic Lodge
Through his friendship with Otto Heinrich von Gemmingen-Hornberg, Mozart joined the lodge on December 14 and was promoted to journeyman on January 7, 1785, which later influenced his works, especially "The Magic Flute" and "Le nozze di Figaro".
1786
First performance of Le nozze di Figaro
Mozart's opera buffa was premiered on May 1st. Despite its system-critical content, it was approved by Emperor Joseph II and overtaxed the Viennese audience, which affected Mozart's financial situation.
1787
First performance of Don Giovanni
On October 29, the Dramma giocoso was premiered, which was a success in Prague and improved Mozart's financial situation, although his success in Vienna waned.
1790
Premiere of Così fan tutte
This opera buffa premiered in Vienna on January 26, but was only moderately well received and did not significantly improve Mozart's financial situation.
1791
Premiere of die Zauberflöte
On September 30, Mozart's great opera was premiered at the Theater im Freihaus on the Wieden in Vienna and received great acclaim, which brought hope of economic improvement for Mozart, but did not last long before his death.
1791
Mozart's death
A few weeks after the premiere of The Magic Flute, Mozart became bedridden and died on December 5 at the age of not quite 36. His cause of death is still the subject of much speculation, including various illnesses and even poisoning.
1855
Determination of the grave location
In 1855, the location of Mozart's grave was determined as best as possible, which later led to the erection of a tombstone. The tomb was erected in 1859 and later transferred by the City of Vienna to the group of honorary graves of musicians at the Central Cemetery.
1859
Erection of the grave monument
In 1859, a tomb was erected on the presumed site of Mozart's grave, which was later transferred to the musicians' graves of honor at the Central Cemetery. Today, this tomb is a much-visited sight.