Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg Austria

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. Many people think he was the greatest composer who ever lived. Even though Mozart’s music was very popular during his time, he often had to struggle just to make a living.

Wolfgang had a remarkable childhood. He and his sister, Nannerl, who was four years older, traveled all over with their parents, playing music for the royal families of Europe. When Mozart was three years old, he already had an unusual understanding of music. When he was four, he learned to play the violin perfectly!

Traveling in those days was difficult and uncomfortable. The roads were bumpy and muddy and often the coach would break down. Wolfgang and Nannerl didn’t seem to mind though. They loved seeing the great cities of Europe and performing concerts for rich and important people.

When Wolfgang got older, his father, Leopold (who was also a musician) helped Mozart get a job in the court orchestra. At first it was OK until a new archbishop took over. He never appreciated Mozart’s talent. He was often rude and ordered him to write all kinds of boring musical pieces, sometimes at the last minute. Wolfgang was very unhappy. Leopold Mozart

Wolfgang wanted to have the freedom to find his own jobs and make his own decisions about what music he would write. In 1779, Mozart went to another city called Vienna where he had a lot of friends. It was there he fell in love and married a singer named Constanze Weber.

Wolfgang had some of the happiest times of life with Constanze in Vienna and wrote many of his greatest works. Some people think his operas are his greatest achievement. An opera is a story told through singing. The singers wear beautiful costumes and perform on a stage with fancy scenery while an orchestra accompanies them.

One of Mozart’s famous operas is called Don Giovanni. It tell the story of Don Giovanni an insatiable ladies man and his servant Leporello, who is not happy that he has to bide his time while his master gets in trouble. One night Don Giovanni sneaks to the room of a woman named Anna wearing a cloak and mask. Anna screams for help and her father, the Commendatore, confronts the intruder. The Commendatore dies at Giovanni's hand. Later one evening, Don Giovanni is walking through the cemetery and comes to the monument of the slain Commendatore, . He receives a stern rebuke from the statue. Leporello is terrified, but Giovanni tells his servant to invite the statue to dinner. To Leporello's horror, the statue accepts the invitation. At dinner that evening, Leporello pleads with Don to repent, but he ignores him. Leporello screams upon encountering the stone monument. Don Giovanni politely invites the statue to enjoy a meal with him. The statue refuses, ordering the Don to repent for his sins. Defiant to the last, Giovanni is dragged down to hell.

As time went on, Wolfgang got himself into money problems. Mozart was never very good at handling his finances. He loved to spend money by giving parties, expensive clothing and wigs.

Mozart had to work day and night to put on concerts and write music for special occasions so he could pay the bills. Even with Constanze’s help and encouragement, Wolfgang’s health started getting worse and worse.

After Mozart finished writing one of his operas called The Magic Flute, he wasn’t well at all. He used all his energy to compose a piece called Requiem, but died before he could finish it. He was only 35 years old.

What is the overarching idea? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What are the main ideas? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Native Country and Year of Birth Child Prodigy. Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death

What are the main ideas? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Native Country and Year of Birth • Born in Salzburg, Austria • 1756 Child Prodigy Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death

What are the main ideas? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Time Period and Characteristics of Era Child Prodigy Life in Vienna • a prodigy means a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability: a musical prodigy. • Mozart could play the violin perfectly at age 4 • Traveled with sister, Nanneral throughout Europe performing for the wealthy patrons • Mr. Mozart was their music teacher Money Problems and Death

What are the main ideas? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Native Country and Year of Birth Child Prodigy Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death • Unhappy working for Court Orchestra, left for Vienna to become self employed. • Met and married singer, Constanze Weber • Wrote many of most famous works including operas • Many think his operas are his greatest achievement

What are the main ideas? The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Native Country and Year of Birth Child Prodigy Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death • Mozart never good at handling money • Loved to spend money on parties, expensive clothes and wigs • Worked night and day to pay the bills • His health began to deteriorate • Began writing a requiem and felt he was writing it for himself (Also called Requiem Mass. This Mass honored those who had died. ) • Died at 35 from poor health • Buried in an unmarked grave because he couldn’t afford proper funeral