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Court organist in Salzburg (1779)
Mozart arrives in Salzburg in January 1779. On January 17 he is employed as court organist with a handsome salary. This position demands his performance in the festive masses at Salzburg Cathedral. He is not obliged, however, to compose for the liturgy regularly. He composes his church music works mostly for special occasions.
Friendship with Schikaneder (September 1780)
Emanuel Schikaneder and his troupe of actors come to Salzburg and become acquainted with the Mozart family.
Neue Festoper für München (Herbst - Winter 1780)
Mozart is commissioned with an opera on the occasion of the next carnival. On November 5 he travels to Munich. Premiere of the opera "Idomeneo, Rè di Creta" (K366) on January 29.
The final split with the Salzburg Prince-Archbishop
On November 29, 1780 Empress Maria Theresa dies. Prince-Archbishop Colloredo moves to Vienna in January accompanied by his princely household in order to visit his ill father and to participate in the political scenario preceding the succession to the throne. Mozart, who has been on vacation in Munich much longer than previously planned, is ordered back to Vienna urgently by Colloredo. He arrives in Vienna on March 16 and resides at the "Haus des Deutschen Ordens" (today Singerstrasse 7). Here he composes the violin sonata in G major (K379), among others. As musician of the Salzburg Prince-Archbishop he performs before Vienna's high-society circles.
Because of the unique impressions he has of the city ("for my profession the best place in the world") he does not want to return to Salzburg with the Prince-Archbishop. On May 9 he finally breaks with Colloredo. The split is ‘sealed’ on June 8, 1781 through the famous kick Mozart bestowed on a high Salzburg court official.
Mozart stays in Vienna as a freelance musician. In the beginning he lives as a guest of the Weber family (who have moved to Vienna) in the house "Zum Auge Gottes" on Petersplatz (today Petersplatz 11 - the house itself no longer exists).
The first years in Vienna – an artistic peak (1781 - 1787)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart soon gets accepted by the Viennese society and starts his "big" career here. He performs innumerable private and public concerts (so-called "Academies") as musician and composer. Commissions, private students and the position as "Viennese Court Composer" with a regular salary facilitate a life in luxury. He is often, however, in financial trouble due to his extravagant lifestyle and his gambling debts.
"Die Entführung aus dem Serail"
In the summer of 1781 Mozart receives the libretto for his first great opera during the Vienna years. He works on and off on the score. Premiere is on July 16, 1782 at the "k.k. Nationaltheater am Michaelerplatz" (no longer exists today). The opera is the greatest theatrical success of Mozart’s life.
Marriage to Constanze Weber (1762-1842)
On December 15, 1781 Mozart informs his father of his marriage plans - the latter had always been against his son's acquaintance with the Weber family. However, Wolfgang and the Webers have it their way and Mozart gets married to the six-year-younger singer on August 4, 1782 at St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Academies at the house of Baron Gottfried van Swieten
Mozart is a regular guest at the concerts staged every Sunday at Gottfried van Swieten's house.
Here he gets acquainted with the music of the great Baroque composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel. He rearranges some of their works for the Academies. Mozart arranges Händel's oratorios. They are performed under van Swieten’s direction at the Court Library's ceremonial hall (Josefsplatz 1).
Public appearances
During the last decades of the 18th century Vienna becomes a centre of public concerts with Mozart playing a prominent part in this development. Most of the compositions completed during the Vienna years, among them several piano concertos (K413, 414, 415) and numerous concert arias for singer friends, were Vienna Academy works. None of the original venues for these Academies exist today. Among the most important venues are the "Augarten", the former "k.k. Nationaltheater" (Hofburgtheater) on Michaelerplatz, the "Mehlgrube" (Kärntner Strasse 22/Neuer Markt 5) and the "Kärntnertortheater" (today Hotel Sacher is located there).
New homes
The Mozarts changed residences in Vienna quite often. Prior to his marriage, Mozart moves to the house "Zum roten Säbel" where he had already lived as a twelve-year old. A few months later he moves into the house on Wipplingerstrasse 14, then to Kohlmarkt 7, and to Judenplatz 3-4. Early 1784 the Mozarts move to one of the most representative houses in town, the "Trattnerhof" (Graben 29-29a). At the ceremonial hall of the house, the "Trattnerischer Saal", Mozart performs the premieres of his piano concertos K449, 450 and 451.
The “Figarohaus”
The only home Mozart resided in in Vienna that has been preserved until today is the "Figarohaus" behind St. Stephen's Cathedral (Domgasse 5). Mozart lived here from October 1784 until April 1787, some two-and-a-half years. It is here where he creates his most mature compositions. Joseph Haydn pays him a visit here - Mozart dedicates six string quartets to him. He further composes eleven piano concertos, the horn concerto and the opera "Le nozze di Figaro" (premiere: May 1, 1786, k.k. Nationaltheater).
Mozart becomes a Freemason
In December 1784 Mozart becomes an "apprentice" in the Masonic lodge "Zur Wohltätigkeit"; in the lodge "Zur wahren Eintracht" he becomes a "visiting brother". After a month he becomes a "journeyman". His "Masonic compositions" ("Maurerfreunde" K471, "Gesellenreise" K 468, the cantata fragment "Dir, Seele des Weltalls" K429 and the "Maurische Trauermusik") are his contributions to certain Masonic celebrations. From January 1786 on Mozart is a member of the lodge "Zur neugekrönten Hoffnung" (later "Gekrönte Hoffnung").
Journeys to Prague (1787)
The premiere of "Le nozze di Figaro" in Prague is extremely successful. Mozart is celebrated as composer, conductor and piano player.
Living in the “suburbs” (1787)
The Mozarts leave their expensive city dwellings and move to "Landstrasse" (today Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 75-77) end of April 1787. Leopold Mozart dies end of May in Salzburg. In the suburbian home Mozart composes the opera "Don Giovanni" (K527) and the famous "Kleine Nachtmusik" (K525). "Don Giovanni" ‘s premiere is performed on October 29, 1787 in Prague, a few weeks later Emperor Joseph II appoints Mozart court composer and pays him a handsome annual salary.
Mozart arrives in Salzburg in January 1779. On January 17 he is employed as court organist with a handsome salary. This position demands his performance in the festive masses at Salzburg Cathedral. He is not obliged, however, to compose for the liturgy regularly. He composes his church music works mostly for special occasions.
Friendship with Schikaneder (September 1780)
Emanuel Schikaneder and his troupe of actors come to Salzburg and become acquainted with the Mozart family.
Neue Festoper für München (Herbst - Winter 1780)
Mozart is commissioned with an opera on the occasion of the next carnival. On November 5 he travels to Munich. Premiere of the opera "Idomeneo, Rè di Creta" (K366) on January 29.
The final split with the Salzburg Prince-Archbishop
On November 29, 1780 Empress Maria Theresa dies. Prince-Archbishop Colloredo moves to Vienna in January accompanied by his princely household in order to visit his ill father and to participate in the political scenario preceding the succession to the throne. Mozart, who has been on vacation in Munich much longer than previously planned, is ordered back to Vienna urgently by Colloredo. He arrives in Vienna on March 16 and resides at the "Haus des Deutschen Ordens" (today Singerstrasse 7). Here he composes the violin sonata in G major (K379), among others. As musician of the Salzburg Prince-Archbishop he performs before Vienna's high-society circles.
Because of the unique impressions he has of the city ("for my profession the best place in the world") he does not want to return to Salzburg with the Prince-Archbishop. On May 9 he finally breaks with Colloredo. The split is ‘sealed’ on June 8, 1781 through the famous kick Mozart bestowed on a high Salzburg court official.
Mozart stays in Vienna as a freelance musician. In the beginning he lives as a guest of the Weber family (who have moved to Vienna) in the house "Zum Auge Gottes" on Petersplatz (today Petersplatz 11 - the house itself no longer exists).
The first years in Vienna – an artistic peak (1781 - 1787)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart soon gets accepted by the Viennese society and starts his "big" career here. He performs innumerable private and public concerts (so-called "Academies") as musician and composer. Commissions, private students and the position as "Viennese Court Composer" with a regular salary facilitate a life in luxury. He is often, however, in financial trouble due to his extravagant lifestyle and his gambling debts.
"Die Entführung aus dem Serail"
In the summer of 1781 Mozart receives the libretto for his first great opera during the Vienna years. He works on and off on the score. Premiere is on July 16, 1782 at the "k.k. Nationaltheater am Michaelerplatz" (no longer exists today). The opera is the greatest theatrical success of Mozart’s life.
Marriage to Constanze Weber (1762-1842)
On December 15, 1781 Mozart informs his father of his marriage plans - the latter had always been against his son's acquaintance with the Weber family. However, Wolfgang and the Webers have it their way and Mozart gets married to the six-year-younger singer on August 4, 1782 at St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Academies at the house of Baron Gottfried van Swieten
Mozart is a regular guest at the concerts staged every Sunday at Gottfried van Swieten's house.
Here he gets acquainted with the music of the great Baroque composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel. He rearranges some of their works for the Academies. Mozart arranges Händel's oratorios. They are performed under van Swieten’s direction at the Court Library's ceremonial hall (Josefsplatz 1).
Public appearances
During the last decades of the 18th century Vienna becomes a centre of public concerts with Mozart playing a prominent part in this development. Most of the compositions completed during the Vienna years, among them several piano concertos (K413, 414, 415) and numerous concert arias for singer friends, were Vienna Academy works. None of the original venues for these Academies exist today. Among the most important venues are the "Augarten", the former "k.k. Nationaltheater" (Hofburgtheater) on Michaelerplatz, the "Mehlgrube" (Kärntner Strasse 22/Neuer Markt 5) and the "Kärntnertortheater" (today Hotel Sacher is located there).
New homes
The Mozarts changed residences in Vienna quite often. Prior to his marriage, Mozart moves to the house "Zum roten Säbel" where he had already lived as a twelve-year old. A few months later he moves into the house on Wipplingerstrasse 14, then to Kohlmarkt 7, and to Judenplatz 3-4. Early 1784 the Mozarts move to one of the most representative houses in town, the "Trattnerhof" (Graben 29-29a). At the ceremonial hall of the house, the "Trattnerischer Saal", Mozart performs the premieres of his piano concertos K449, 450 and 451.
The “Figarohaus”
The only home Mozart resided in in Vienna that has been preserved until today is the "Figarohaus" behind St. Stephen's Cathedral (Domgasse 5). Mozart lived here from October 1784 until April 1787, some two-and-a-half years. It is here where he creates his most mature compositions. Joseph Haydn pays him a visit here - Mozart dedicates six string quartets to him. He further composes eleven piano concertos, the horn concerto and the opera "Le nozze di Figaro" (premiere: May 1, 1786, k.k. Nationaltheater).
Mozart becomes a Freemason
In December 1784 Mozart becomes an "apprentice" in the Masonic lodge "Zur Wohltätigkeit"; in the lodge "Zur wahren Eintracht" he becomes a "visiting brother". After a month he becomes a "journeyman". His "Masonic compositions" ("Maurerfreunde" K471, "Gesellenreise" K 468, the cantata fragment "Dir, Seele des Weltalls" K429 and the "Maurische Trauermusik") are his contributions to certain Masonic celebrations. From January 1786 on Mozart is a member of the lodge "Zur neugekrönten Hoffnung" (later "Gekrönte Hoffnung").
Journeys to Prague (1787)
The premiere of "Le nozze di Figaro" in Prague is extremely successful. Mozart is celebrated as composer, conductor and piano player.
Living in the “suburbs” (1787)
The Mozarts leave their expensive city dwellings and move to "Landstrasse" (today Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 75-77) end of April 1787. Leopold Mozart dies end of May in Salzburg. In the suburbian home Mozart composes the opera "Don Giovanni" (K527) and the famous "Kleine Nachtmusik" (K525). "Don Giovanni" ‘s premiere is performed on October 29, 1787 in Prague, a few weeks later Emperor Joseph II appoints Mozart court composer and pays him a handsome annual salary.
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