Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus

Mozart was born in

Salzburg, Austria in

1756. Many people

think he was the

greatest composer who 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 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 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 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 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 a story told through

singing. The singers

wear beautiful costumes

and perform on a stage

with fancy scenery while

an orchestra

accompanies them.

As time went on,

Wolfgang got himself

into money problems.

Mozart was never

very good at handling

his finances. He loved 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

Child Prodigy Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death

•Born in •Born in Salzburg, Austria•1756

What are the main ideas?

The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Time Period and Characteristics of Era

Child Prodigy Life in Vienna Money Problems and Death

• a prodigy means a child

or young person, having 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

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 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, •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. The Mass celebrated

for the repose of the souls of the

dead.)

•Died at 35 from poor health

•Buried in an unmarked grave because

he couldn’t afford proper funeral