Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (WOLF-gang, ah-muh-DAY-us, MOE-tsart) was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father, Leopold, was a bookbinder. He was also a violin teacher and became famous when he published a method of study for the violin.
Wolfgang's older sister Maria Anna was called Nannerl by the family. Her father began teaching her to play the clavier when she was seven years old and Wolfgang also showed an interest very early. Both children were musical prodigies, having exceptional talent in that field.
Wolfgang learned to play the harpsichord. He composed his first song when he was four years old even before he had learned to read. Shortly before his fifth birthday he was able …show more content…
Wolfgang was nearly nine, but he was small for his age and his father advertised his age as eight so he would appear younger and more precocious.
In September they reached The Hague in the Netherlands. Nannerl became very ill. In those days they "bled" people to treat them. Of course, this only made her worse. It was determined that she had typhoid fever. Then Wolfgang became ill with the same symptoms. They both finally recovered and the family returned to Salzburg in 1766.
In 1767 Mozart composed his first opera. He directed the opera himself at the age of fourteen. It was during this time he became ill with smallpox which left him scarred for life. In 1769 he was appointed Konzertmeister at the Salzburg court by the Archbishop. He held that position for about ten years. In later operas he partnered with Lorenzo Da Ponte who wrote the words and Mozart wrote the music. They wrote The Marriage of Figaro. and Don Giovanni together. Antonio Salieri, who wrote more than forty operas, was jealous of Mozart. (Salieri's role is embellished in the 1984 fictionalized movie Amadeus.)
In 1777 he visited his uncle and spent time with his cousin Maria Anna who was called Bäsle. They had a brief romantic
Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (WOLF-gang, ah-muh-DAY-us, MOE-tsart) was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father, Leopold, was a bookbinder. He was also a violin teacher and became famous when he published a method of study for the violin.
Wolfgang's older sister Maria Anna was called Nannerl by the family. Her father began teaching her to play the clavier when she was seven years old and Wolfgang also showed an interest very early. Both children were musical prodigies, having exceptional talent in that field.
Wolfgang learned to play the harpsichord. He composed his first song when he was four years old even before he had learned to read. Shortly before his fifth birthday he was able …show more content…
Wolfgang was nearly nine, but he was small for his age and his father advertised his age as eight so he would appear younger and more precocious.
In September they reached The Hague in the Netherlands. Nannerl became very ill. In those days they "bled" people to treat them. Of course, this only made her worse. It was determined that she had typhoid fever. Then Wolfgang became ill with the same symptoms. They both finally recovered and the family returned to Salzburg in 1766.
In 1767 Mozart composed his first opera. He directed the opera himself at the age of fourteen. It was during this time he became ill with smallpox which left him scarred for life. In 1769 he was appointed Konzertmeister at the Salzburg court by the Archbishop. He held that position for about ten years. In later operas he partnered with Lorenzo Da Ponte who wrote the words and Mozart wrote the music. They wrote The Marriage of Figaro. and Don Giovanni together. Antonio Salieri, who wrote more than forty operas, was jealous of Mozart. (Salieri's role is embellished in the 1984 fictionalized movie Amadeus.)
In 1777 he visited his uncle and spent time with his cousin Maria Anna who was called Bäsle. They had a brief romantic