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ABOUT THE COMPLEX
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The works of WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART in all genres are examples of artistic perfection and innovation. The fate of the genius composer is unusual. A prodigal child, fame accompanies him from an early age. At the age of four, he studied piano and tried to compose, even experimenting to write a concerto for two pianos, and at the age of six he performed in front of audience. His first teacher was his father Leopold Mozart, who was excellent violinist, organist and music pedagogue. The first concerts performed by Mozart and his elder sister had a great success. Their three-year tour of Europe’s biggest music centers was sensational. The child prodigy was the talk of the towns, and the press discussed his works. In 1766, Mozart’s family returned to Salzburg. The 11-year-old wrote his first opera, Apollo et Hyacinthus. In 1769 the young composer went on a concert tour in Italy. Along with the resounding success of his concert activity, Mozart created many works – symphonies, concerts and more. His most significant work of that period was his opera series Mithridates, King of Pontus, staged in Milan and conducted by its author. At the same time he studied the works of the old masters and studied composition with the famous pedagogue Padre Martini. In 1771, Mozart returned to Salzburg and, in addition to his daily activities as a court musician with the local archbishop, began intensive compositional work. He wrote serenades, divertimenti, string quartets, sonatas, symphonies, concerts and more. Despite the lack of theater in Salzburg, Mozart created operas, strongly fascinated by this musical genre. Soon the young musician embarks on a new big concert tour, but this time without much success. His fame as an adult child prodigy was no longer a sensation. His life as an adult was full of problems. He earned his living by giving private music lessons. Mozart’s creative activity required constant travel, but the archbishop often did not allow him any leave. That led to a rift between the two and forced the young composer to resign. In 1781, Mozart settled permanently in Vienna. Then and there began the most fruitful creative period of his life. During the first five years he wrote one of his most significant operas – “Abduction from the Seraglio” (1782), symphonies № 33 – 38, a large number of concerts for various instruments, string quartets, sonatas and more. In 1786, Mozart completed his opera Der Schauspieldirektor. The acquaintance of the composer with the court poet of the Viennese court, the Italian Lorenzo da Ponte, played an important role in his opera creations. Three of the most precious Mozart works: “The Marriage of Figaro, (1786),” Don Giovanni” (1787) and “Cosi fan Tutte” (1790) were based on his librettos. “The Marriage of Figaro” had a huge success, especially in Prague – for the Prague Opera, Mozart wrote a special “Don Giovanni”, percieved enthusiastically by the audience. Despite his success in Prague, Mozart’s financial situation was not good. This did not diminish his creative aspiration and he kept creating work after work. In 1788 his last symphonies – № 39, 40 and 41 – were composed. His last works have been well received by the Viennese audience – the opera “Cosi fan Tutte” and “The Mercy of Titus” based on the libretto of the famous Metastasio, as well as his latest musical and stage work “The Magic Flute”. While he was composing it, his health deteriorated sharply. After that, the only thing he composed was his “Requiem”. Mozart died on December 5, 1791 in Vienna.