 |
| Introduction |
| THE PLAY |
| Synopsis |
| Mozart |
| Salieri |
| Sir Peter Shaffer |
| Characters |
| Themes |
| Style |
| Production History |
| Email Us |
Mozart
| Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756 Born in Salzburg on 27 January 1756 Mozart was the seventh child of Leopold and Maria Anna but only the second to survive. The next day Mozart was christened in Saltzburg Cathedral where he was named Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Nannerl, his surviving sibling was already showing signs of being a musical prodigy. Mozart’s Salzburg was part of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations, ruled by a prince archbishop Schrattenbach. The prince archbishop was the most important man in Salzburg and was responsible for employing musicians. Mozart’s father was employed by the prince archbishop as a violinist, assistant conductor and then kapellmeister. In the same year as his son’s birth Leopold published Violin Method an instructional text book on how to play the violin. 1761 Mozart learns his first piano piece by Wagenseil and performs for the first time in Salzburg. “Wolfgangerl mastered the minuet and trio the day before his fifth birthday, in just thirty minutes at 9.30 pm, January 26th, 1761” wrote Leopold. Mozart had also started to compose – his first piece is entitled Andante for Piano 1. Mozart and his sister Nannerl have royal command performances in Munich and Vienna. Mozart starts to write his first violin sonatas. 1763 Nannerl and Mozart go on their first European tour including: Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels and Paris. 1764 They continue to tour Europe playing for King Louis XV in Paris and King George III in London. “The King presented him with music from Wagenseil, Bach, Abel, and Handel, and he played them all at first sight. He played the King’s organs so well that people said his organ playing was better than his organ playing. Next, he accompanied the queen in song and a flute player in a flute and piano piece” wrote Leopold. Mozart first violin sonata is published and he writes his first symphony. Mozart was learning from the leading composers of the day, his musical education benefiting from visiting Europe’s leading musical centres. 1765 Aged 9 Mozart dedicates 3 piano sonatas to Queen Charlotte. Nannerl and Mozart continue to play concerts. By the time they arrived in the Hague in September both Leopold and Mozart had been ill with angina, but when Nannerl fell ill with intestinal typhoid the recovering Mozart had to play his first solo concert. Mozart also publishes 6 violin sonatas. 1766 Although on their way home they continued their concert tour, having played in Utrect, Amsterdam, Brussels and Antwerp by May before returning to Paris. After a short stay in Paris they travelled back to Salzburg via Dijon, Switzerland and Munich. In Munich they were immediately asked to play at court, Mozart playing both a solo concert and then with Nannerl. They arrived back in Salzburg on 29 November 1766, 3 years after they had started out on their tour. 1767 Mozart stays in Salzburg for nine months. He studies German composers; he is tested by the prince archbishop, Count Von Schrattenbach, to see if his reputation is deserved; is commissioned to produce an oratorio (Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots) and a Latin comedy (Apollo and Hyacinthus). Then Leopold gained permission to tour again leaving Salzburg for Vienna. The family leave Vienna, after a small pox epidemic breaks out, moving to Bohemia where Mozart falls ill with the disease. In December Mozart was well enough to move to Brno where he performed a concert with his sister. 1768 The family are on the move again this time back to Vienna where they are immediately received at court. But their success is overshadowed by rumours over the authenticity of Mozart’s compositions and in particular his opera La finta semplice. All Leopold’s efforts to stamp out the rumours fail and he decides to “.. wait til the Emperor gets here, before doing battle. Mark my words, I will stop at nothing to protect the reputation on my son.” Mozart composes another opera Bastien and Bastienne) which unlike La finta semplice is performed in Vienna entrancing audiences. Mozart also composes his first complete mass, Waisenhausmesse and takes on the role of conductor for its premier performance. Leopold writes of the performance – “Wolfgang’s Mass, performed on 7th December… with the Imperial family in attendance and Wolfgang himself conducting, has repaired the damage our enemies sought to do by blocking the opera, and has convinced both the court and the public – who turned up in droves – of the malevolence of our rivals!” The family return home to Salzburg. 1769 Mozart spent much of 1769 in Salzburg composing for Prince Archbishop Schrattenbach’s court and university. In November, aged just 13, he is appointed Konzertmeister to the Salzburg Court, the post is unpaid but it is significant in that he is now composer and conductor to the prince archbishop of one on the most important principalities of the Holy Roman Empire. With the 120 ducats prince archbishop Schrattenbach gives Mozart on his appointment, Leopold determines to take his son on a tour of Italy, this time leaving behind Nannerl and Maria Anna. 1770 Leopold chose to take Mozart to Italy as it was the capital of the classical musical empire in the 18th century and Leopold hoped to secure a post in one of the Italian courts. Mozart started his tour of Italy by playing 2 concerts in Verona before travelling on to Milan and from there to Florence where he played for the Grand Duke Leopold. From Florence Mozart and his father travelled to Rome where he was entranced by a performance of the Miserere immediately copying it down from memory after returning to their lodgings after hearing it performed. From Rome they travelled to Naples and then back to Rome where Mozart received the Order of the Golden Spur from the Pope. From Rome to Bologna where Mozart was awarded the prestigious Accademia Filarmonica. But while the accolades came flooded in the money did not until having travelled back to Milan Mozart was commissioned to write an opera Mitridate, rè di Ponto, which was performed on 27 December (Mozart again conduction). Leopold wrote “Two things happened, unheard of if Milan. One of the soprano’s arias was repeated! And, after almost every aria, there was amazing applause and shouts of ‘Long live the Little Maestro!” of the concert. 1771 Days before his 15 birthday, Mozart was awarded the Accademia Filarmonica of Verona. Mozart and Leopold returned to Venice where he received a commission of an opera to be staged in Milan before they retuned home to Salzburg for 4 months before returning to Milan to carry out the commission. Ascanio in Alba’s premiered at the Teatro Regio Ducal as part of the marriage celebrations for the marriage of Princess Beatrice and Archduke Ferdinand. It was reported that the Archduke wanted to offer Mozart a position but that the Princess was not in favour so Mozart still lacked the all important paid postion. On 15 December they returned to Salzburg where on the 16 December prince archduke Schattenbach died. Mozart composed a dramatic serenade to be performed at the new prince archduke Colloredeo’s enthronement. 1772 Mozart is continues in his job as Konzertmeister but on a annual salary of 150 gulden and is granted along with Leopold another leave of absence. They return to Italy to rehearse an opera commissioned the year before. Lucio Silla proved to be popular with 20 performances taking place within the first month. 1773 Leoparld and Mozart left Salzburg again in July travelling to Vienna, once more looking for a paid position. But they returned again to Salzburg in September after playing a number of concerts including one for the empress. 1774 Mozart spent 1774 in Salzburg composing works for the new prince archbishop, before travelling to Munich to complete a commission for an opera buffa La finta giardiniera. 1775 Mozart returned to Salzburg in March when prince archduke Colloredo instructed him to compose music to entertain Archeduke Maximilian during his visit. 1776 During 1776 Mozart remained at home, composing a large number of works as Konzertmeister but also taking on personal commissions including composing music for the wedding of the sister of a family friend. 1777 Mozart again requested another leave of absence this time prince archbishop Colloredo refused sacking both Mozart and his father Leopold. While Mozart decided to leave anyway, Leopold decided to stay in Salzburg and petition to be reappointed mindful of the financial needs of his family. Mozart stayed for at short time in his father’s home town of Augsburg, where he was romantically linked to his cousin, Maria Anna Thekla. He left Augsburg with his mother in October travelling to Mannheim where he fell in love with Aloysia Weber. Her family were poor and Leopold warned Mozart against the match urging him to go to Paris where he hoped his son would receive some paid commissions. 1788 In the spring of 1788 Mozart left Mannheim for Paris with his mother, who had been unwell for some time. However, German music was not in great demand in Paris at the time. Mozart received a commission to work on some incidental ballet music and played for the Duchess of Chabot’s art class. On 3 July in Paris Mozart’s mother died. He left Paris in September to return home, stopping off in Munich where he lodged with the Webers. However, the romance with Aloysia seems to have been over. Leopold contacted his son in Munich to tell him that prince archbishop Colloreodo had reinstated Mozart and made him court organist which bought with it a larger salary. 1789 Mozart returned home to Salzburg with a salary of 450 gulden. His new position bought him greater responsibilities including the composition of a large amount of church music. He had gone from being praised by members of emperors and empresses and famous musicians of the day to being an employee of the prince archbishop. 1779 In 1779 Mozart received a commission for an opera in Munich his first opera in 5 years. 1780 Mozart left Salzburg in November 1780 after completing Solemn Vespers for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra.. Rehearsals started for the opera Idomeneo in December. 1781 Leopold and Nannerl joined Mozart in Munich for the premier of Idomeneo in January 1781 which was a success. However, the opera was not performed again for another 5 years. The Mozart’s stayed in Munich until March before starting their return journey to Salzburg. Prince archbishop Colloredo had in the meantime travelled to Vienna and ordered Mozart to join him there. Mozart arrived in 16 March playing a concert for Colloredo that afternoon. He found himself seated with the servants and was further insulted when Colloredo refused to allow him to play at a concert for the Countess of Thun later the same week preferring him to play for his father. Mozart requested a meeting with Colloredo but instead was seen by his Deputy, Arco. They argued and Mozart resigned. The Weber family had by this time moved to Vienna, where Mozart once again lodged with them. Aloysia was now married but it was Constanze her younger sister that Mozart turned his attention to. Constanze was down to earth and able to run a house hold but this did not win Leopold’s approval. Mozart now had his own pupils, a publisher (Artaria and Company), performing concerts and in love. He was becoming well known in Vienna 1782 Mozart announced to his father his intention to marry Constanze writing: In July 1782 The Abduction from the Harem premiered bringing Mozart 100 ducats. It is said that the Emperor told Mozart “Too beautiful for our ears, Herr Mozart, my dear far too many notes!” On 4 August 1782 Mozart married Constanze at St Stephen’s Catherdral. In October he conducted another performance of The Abduction from the Harem. 1783 Mozart performed a Masquerade at the famous Redoutensaal ballroom for the interval of a masked ball and performed a concert on his own work here in Mach 1783. Mozart wrote to Leopold “I guess I don’t need to tell you how well concert went, as you’ve probably heard already. The theatre couldn’t have been more packed and all the boxes were taken. Best of all though – his Majesty the Emperor loved it and applauded me widely.” Mozart was beginning to make a name for himself in Vienna. In June Constanze gave birth to their first child, a boy, Raimund Leopold. Constanze and Mozart travelled to Salzburg to visit his father, while they were away Raimund died. They returned to Vienna via Linz where Mozart performed a symphony he had started to compose on the journey to Linz. By the time they arrived back in Vienna Mozart was ill. 1784 The couple moved from Judenplaz to Trattenerhof. From 9 February 1784 Mozart set out to put together a catalogue of his works; noting the theme, date, performers and title. Mozart performed 17 concerts by subscription. Subscription meant that an number of interested parties gave an amount of money for either a copy of the music performed or out of philanthropy allowing the composer/performer to use the money to cover the costs of the concert. In August Mozart fell ill again and remained so until September. On 21 September Constanze gave birth to their second child, another boy, Carl. The Mozart’s moved again to Domgasse with a rent of 450 gulden a year. Mozart was invited to join the Masonic lodge in 1784 and they had a increasing influence on his music culminating in his Masonic opera The Magic Flute. 1785 Leopold visited his son at the beginning of 1785 and watched him play a number of Friday concerts. Mozart was enjoying some success in Vienna performing a number of concerts. In April Leopold was initiated into Mozart’s Masonic Lodge. Mozart responded by writing Die MaurerfreudeI which was full of Masonic symbolism. In October Mozart was commissioned to write an opera with a libretto by Lorenzo de Ponte – The Marriage of Figaro. Mozart and Ponte chose to base the opera on a play already banned in Germany. At the beginning of 1785 Mozart seemed to have it all, money, work and influential friends, but this was to change before the end of the year. His lavish lifestyle meant he was on his way towards bankruptcy. 1786 In January 1786 the Emperor himself commissioned Mozart to write an opera in honour of his sister. The impresario premiered in the Orangery of Schönbrunn castle and then the Kartnernthortheater. In May The Marriage of Figaro premiered at the Burgtheater it was a huge success proving Leopold’s fears to be groundless. He wrote to Nannerl “It’s going to be important, if it succeeds, because it’s well know that there are incredibly strong factions against it. Salieri and his cohorts will try to move heaven and earth.” In October Constanze gave birth to their third child, Johann, who died within a month. 1787 Mozart travelled to Prague with Constanze to see The Marriage of Figaro. He took with him an especially composed Symphony 39 renamed The Prague Symphony. Mozart was a success in Prague. Mozart’s increasing financial problems meant that he had to move his family from their expensive Domgasse house to a cheaper house in Landstrasse. Mozart fell ill again which only increased his financial problems forcing him to borrow 300 gulden from a friend which he never managed to pay back. On 28 May 1787 Leopold died leaving his son 1000 gulden. In October Mozart and Constanze returned to Prague to supervise the rehearsals of his new opera Don Giovanni. It was a great success on his return to Vienna he was appointed Kammermusicus to the Emperor’s court, guaranteeing him 800 gulden a year. In December Constanze gave birth to a baby girl Theresia. Mozart’s financial problems increased as did the letters to friends and fellow masons requesting financial loans. 1788 In May 1788 Don Giovanni premiered in Vienna but despite its success in Prague it failed. Mozart tried to raise money by publishing 3 quintets by subscription, but failed to find enough subscribers incurring more debts. On 29 June his daughter Theresia died. 1789 Mozart financial difficulties continued. He accompanied Prince Lichnowsky on his travels through Germany. In Berlin Mozart was offered the post of chief Kapellmeister to Fredrich Wilhelm II, it would have meant an end to his financial difficulties but Mozart turned the post down. Cnstanze gave birth to another daughter in November, Anna Maria, but she didn’t survive. At Emperor Joseph II suggestion Mozart collaborated once more with de Ponte on another opera Così fan tutte. 1790 On 20 January 1790 Emperor Joseph II died. Mozart applied to the new Emperor Leopold for the post of second Kapellmeister. He was unsuccessful. Mozart continued to borrow money from his friend Puchberg begging him to keep the loans secret. In June he conducted the re runs of Cosi fan tutte at the Burgtheater. He received a commission from Baron Von Swieten to adapt a number of Handel’s In September 1790 he attended Leopold’s coronation in Frankfurt. While he was away Constanze was forced to move to cheaper lodgings. 1791 Mozart’s financial difficulties continued, as did his begging letters to his friend Puchberg. But he continued to work hard to solve his financial difficulties. In April hearing that Leopold Hoffman the incumbent Kapellmeister at St Stephen’s Cathedral was seriously ill, Mozart wrote offering his services as an unpaid assistant. Hoping that when Hoffman died he would inherit the 200 gulden a year position, unfortunately for Mozart, Hoffman out lived him by 2 years. In June, Constanze pregnant again, travelled to the spa of Baden. Mozart stayed in Vienna to honour previous commitments but then travelled to join his family. He composed Ave verum corpus for his friend Stroll who had arranged their accommodation in Baden. He had also started to work on The Magic Flute. In July Mozart was approached by a mysterious messenger to write a Requiem for his master. Mozart agreed to the commission on his return from Prague where he was to attend the coronation of the new Emperor, contributing to a new opera and dance music for the festivities. The Requiem was to be property of the commissioner and Mozart would be paid on completion of the piece. On 26 July Constanze gave birth to a son Franz Xaver Wolfgang and in late August the couple set of for Prague leaving their son behind. They returned to Vienna in September and Mozart started work on The Magic Flute commissioned by Schikaneder it was full of Masonic references. Mozart conducted the premier and the opera ran for a further 20 performances. Exhausted and reported to be depressed Mozart started work on the Requiem. Constanze’s absence from Vienna (as she once more went to Baden) added to his depression. Although increasingly ill he continued to work on the Requiem throughout October and November, completing nearly 100 pages. His mood picked up with Constanze’s return from Baden but on 20 November he was so ill be spent the day in bed. In early December Mozart’s health seemed to improve and he held a bedside rehearsal for the Requiem, drawing Süssmayer near he whispered detailed instructions on how the piece should be finished. On Monday 5 December 1791 Mozart died, an inconsolable Constanze refused to leave him. |
 |
| RELATED LINKS |
| Ticket Information |
| Interview with Bryan Dick - Mozart |
| Interview with Gerard Murphy - Salieri |
| www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |