Tell me about the World Mozart lived in

People in Mozart's World

We mention many people in Wolferl. Herr Karl and Donna Maria do not represent specific, real people. However, all of the people in our story, the noblemen and rulers, the musicians and composers, the members of Mozart's family, are all real people who were actually part of Mozart's fascinating life.

Mozart's Family

"Papa" Leopold Mozart (1719 - 1787)
Wolferl's Papa, Leopold Mozart, was an excellent violinist in the court orchestra of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg for many years. He was also an important violin teacher who wrote a book about how to play the violin which is still studied today, especially by performers who wish to know the 18^th century style and to perform Mozart's works as they would have been played originally.
"Mama" Anna Maria Mozart (1720 - 1778)
They say Wolferl got his sense of humor and playfulness from his Mama.
"Nanerl" Maria Anna Mozart (1751 - 1829)
Wolferl older sister was also played the piano and the harpsichord very well. He sent her his piano compositions frequently all through his life.
"Bäsle" Maria Anna Thekla Mozart (1758 - 1841)
Wolferl wrote many letters to this favorite cousin.
"Stanzerl" Constanza Maria Weber Mozart (1762 - 1842)
On August 4, 1782, in St. Steven's church in Vienna, Wolfgang married Constanza Weber. She was the daughter of his musician friend Fridolin Weber. Wolfgang's letters do indicate that he loved her very much. They had two children who lived to adulthood, Karl Thomas Mozart and Franz Xavier Mozart. Neither of them ever married or had any children, so Wolfgang has no living descendents. Franz Xavier did become a composer, but nothing like his father had been.

Rulers and Nobles

Emperor Francis II (1768 - 1835)
Emperor of Austria and last Emperor (1792 - 1806) of the Holy Roman Empire.
Empress Maria Theresia (1717 - 1780)
Empress of Austria and of the Holy Roman Empire. She was the wife of Emperor Francis I. Together they had sixteen children, including Emperor Joseph II, Emperor Leopold II, Emperor Francis II, and Queen Marie Antoinette of France.
Prince-Archbishop Heironymus von Coloredo (1732 - 1812)
Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg (1771 - 1803). Mozart and Coloredo did not appreciate each other much at all. At one point when Mozart applied to leave his service, Coloredo said, "Let him go, I shan't ever miss him!".

Composers

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
J. S. Bach was a great master of counterpoint and fugue in the Baroque style. As music director at St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig, Bach composed more than a thousand works. Mozart did appreciate and study the works of J. S. Bach. Incidentally, both Bach and Mozart were also very good mathematicians.
Franz Josef Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Haydn is remembered as a composer of fine symphonies and string quartets, although he composed many other forms of music as well. He understood and appreciated Mozart perhaps more than any other contemporary composer. Mozart very much admired Haydn as well, and dedicated a set of six string quartets to him.

Musicians

Joseph Ignatz Leutgeb (1745 - 1811)
Horn player for whom Mozart wrote concertos for horn and orchestra.
Anton Stadler (1753 - 1812)
Clarinet player for whom Mozart wrote the Clarinet Quintet, K581, and the Clarinet Concerto, K622
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
You're kidding, right? What's Ben Franklin doing in here? Actually Mozart did meet Ben Franklin in Paris, and was quite impressed by the Glass Harmonica which Dr. Franklin had invented. Mozart composed several pieces of music for it, including the Adagio for Glass Harmonica in C Major, K356.

Places in Mozart's World

We also mention many places in Wolferl. We talk about places Mozart lived, places he visited, places where he performed or his music was performed. These are all real places.

Brussels, Belgium
A major stop on Wolferl's Grand Tour of Europe, Wolferl arrived here in October, 1763, and gave a concert for Prince Charles, ruler of the Austrian Netherlands (as the area was then called) in November.
The Hague, Holland
Another major stop on Wolferl's Grand Tour of Europe. In March of 1766 the Mozart children gave a concert as part of the ceremonies celebrating the installation of Prince Willem V of Orange. While here Wolferl composed several sets of variations on Dutch tunes.
London, England
Wolferl and Nanerl performed here for King George III. Yes, that's the same King George for whom a decade later John Hancock placed a very large signature on our Declaration of Independence to be sure that the King could read it. Wolferl studied here under Johann Christian Bach, son of Johann Sebastian. Wolferl wrote his first symphony here at the age of eight.
Paris, France
This was a major stop on Wolferl's Grand Tour of Europe. He stayed here more than half a year at that time. In his early 20's Mozart returned here with his Mama and attempted to secure a position. He did receive some commissions for individual works, but found no permanent position. He was further devastated when Mama died here in 1778.
Prague, Czech Republic
It seems the people of Prague really loved Mozart and his music, perhaps even more than than the Viennese. His great opera Don Giovanni was commissioned for the Prague opera house, and premiered here in 1787.
Salzburg, Austria
Wolferl was born here on January 27, 1756 and lived here (aside from much time spent traveling) during his first 25 years.
Vienna, Austria
Wolferl first came to Vienna in 1762 to perform for Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresia. At that time he met (and impetuously proposed marriage to) Marie Antoinette, the future Queen of France. After his performance here the Empress presented Wolferl with the elegant suit which he is wearing in his youthful portrait on our home page. Mozart moved here in 1781 at the age of 25 to make his fortune as in independent musician. He lived in Vienna for his last ten years, and here he wrote most of his great and important works. He died here on December 5, 1791.