Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791) was one of the most productive composers of classical music. Many people love him for the chamber music and the symphonies he wrote, but many people also love him for his operas.
He actually wrote more than the four I picked out, but those four are the most famous.
Most of his operas have a funny touch to them, they belong to the category "opera buffa". "Don Giovanni" however is something different. Whereas Osmin, the overseer is at the same time funny and cruel, Don Giovanni is just evil. In all the three other operas the loving couples are united again; in "Don Giovanni" the "Hero" goes to hell.
There are rumours that Mozart wrote this opera because he had a bad conscience regarding acting against his father's advice and so causing his father's death. But whatever his reasons for composing that opera were - it is wonderful music as well!
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The Abduction from the Seraglio
The story of the opera is quite simple: Belmonte's beloved Konstanze is abducted by Turks to the seraglio of the Pasha Selim. Belmonte tries to get her out of it with the help of his servant Pedrillo. He fails, however. Konstanze, Belmonte and Pedrillo appeal for mercy, and in the end Pasha Selim allows them to leave.
In spite of the Turks having been a threat to Austria only a few years ago there was a general interest in Turkish music and culture. Mozart built his opera on that interest, however he "westernized" the music a bit.
Aria of Osmin
The Marriage of Figaro
The play was first banned because of the treatment of the aristocracy; the opera however, completed in 1786 was one of Mozart's most famous.
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni is a young nobleman who loves to make one amorous conquest after the other. He doesn't even shrink back from raping women. In the final scene of the last act the statue of the commendatore whom he killed in the first act appears and tries to convince him to change his life. Don Giovanni refuses. When the statue disappears amidst flames it takes Don Giovanni with it - into hell.
Don Giovanni's last scene
Books about Mozart's Operas
Mozart and His Operas
Amazon Price: $23.96 (as of 11/30/2009) 
Mozart's Operas: A Companion
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 11/30/2009)
The Complete Operas Of Mozart (Da Capo Paperback)
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/30/2009)
The Magic Flute
The Queen of the Night sends off the young prince Tamino in order to save her daughter Pamina who has been kidnapped by Sarastro. Bird catcher Papageno accompanies him. Both have magical instruments: Tamino a magical flute and Papageno magical chimes.
Sarastro, who has been described as an evil man by the Queen of the Night, proves himself as a good and warmhearted man. The Queen of tne Night however is evil, and Tamino and Papageno have to pass three exams before they are united with Pamina and Pagagena. In the end, the Queen of the Night is destroyed.
Pamino: This image is enchantingly lovely, Like no eye has ever beheld!
Do you want to know more about Mozart?
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most productive composers of his time. I present to you some of his most famous pieces - one of his violin concertos, one of his operas, the Abduction from the Seraglio, one piece of chamber music (The famous Kl...
Your favorite Mozart Operas
Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera
http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Nozze-Figaro-Marriage more...0 points
Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark more...0 points
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Photos and Musings
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Let's Talk!
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Reply
- Sylvestermouse Sylvestermouse Nov 8, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
- Beautiful! All are absolutely fabulous!
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- theraggededge theraggededge Nov 6, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
- Lovely Ulla. I'm not a huge opera fan but I do enjoy Mozart. I like the way you have laid this out.
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- Kapalbility Kapalbility Nov 6, 2009 @ 10:23 am
- I started to like classical music only when I graduated from college. Does wonders to relax myself. This lens is beautiful. :)
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- rms rms Nov 6, 2009 @ 8:59 am
- Wonderful selection of Operas.
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Lensmaster ulla_hennig has been a member since May 31 2009, has rated 308 lenses, favorited 28, and has created 38 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "George Frideric Handel". See all my lenses
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