Mozart in Vienna

To relive and rediscover Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Vienna, we start from his house at Domgasse 5, in the city’s heart. It is a historic building from the 17th century now converted into a house museum. The house is part of the Vienna Museum and can be visited by anyone willing to explore the notorious artist’s private life.

Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, also known as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born in Salzburg on 27 January 1756 CE.

A composer and musician of rare precocious talent, he began composing at the age of five. His music made a name for itself in various genres, establishing itself as an example and influence for many future composers, such as Ludwig Van Beethoven.

He was born into a wealthy and well-known family in the city. His father was a musician and teacher, and his mother was the prefect’s daughter. One of seven children, Mozart, was called Wolferl or Woferl in the family. The child showed a talent for music that was as precocious as it was extraordinary, a true child prodigy: at the age of three he was tapping the keys of the harpsichord; at the age of four, he was playing short pieces, and by five, he was already the author of several compositions such as, for example, an ‘Andante e Allegro’ or the ‘Allegro’ and ‘Minuetto’ written between 11 and 16 December 1761, compositions that are known today under the name ‘Wolfgangerl Compositiones’.

At the age of six, with his sister, who was also very gifted, under the present guidance of their father, Leopold, they performed at the court of the Bavarian prince Maximilian III and a few months later in Vienna at the imperial court.

Following the years, the family embarked on a very long journey to the most important cities in Europe, where the young talent was required to perform. The fast-growing musician grew in skill and fame and was the guest of the most notorious and prestigious theatres, especially in Italy.

Fame and travel intensified over time, so it was that in early May 1781, Mozart returned to Austria and went to live in a rented room at the home of Aloysia Weber’s mother, Maria Caecilia Stamm, widowed Weber, who lived in Vienna with her three unmarried daughters, Josepha, Sophie and Constanze. To Constanze Weber, then aged nineteen, Mozart soon became engaged. Despite Leopold Mozart’s opposition, the couple married in Vienna, in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, on 4 August 1782 and moved to live in this house. Constanze had several pregnancies, but unfortunately, only two sons survived till adulthood, Carl Thomas and Franz Xaver Wolfgang.

The stately flat on the first floor consists of four rooms, two smaller ones and a kitchen. During his years in this building, Wolfgang Amadeus spent his happiest years and the height of his fame. He composed his best works in these rooms, including his opera “The Marriage of Figaro”. 

With a short walk of 400 metres, we move to St Stephen’s Cathedral to explore a special place for the famous artist.