Mozart's Four Famous Operas

Ranked #945 in Music, #25,163 overall

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!

 

The Abduction from the Seraglio

Mozart completed the "Abduction from the Seraglio" (in German: "Entführung aus dem Serail") in 1782 in Vienna.

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

Osmin, the overseer, has discovered Pedrillo and his beloved, Blonde and is now expressing his triumphant feelings. He is singing about how the two will be executed.
Entfuhrung aus dem Serail - Wie will ich triumphieren
by ernestalba | video info

59 ratings | 26,841 views
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The Marriage of Figaro

The plot of the opera is a play by Beaumarchais: and is rather complicated: There are the Count and the Countess, their servants Figaro and Susanne and a page called Cherubino. The Count wants to seduce Susanne. The page Cherubino is in love with the Countess. The Count decides to send Cherubino off as a soldier to a far away country. The Countess and Susanne conspire to prevent that from happening. In the end the Count is humiliated, the Countess declares her intention to forgive him and Figaro and Susanne marry.

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

The overture is especially famous and often played as a concert piece.
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Don Giovanni

Mozart completed this opera in 1787.

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

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Books about Mozart's Operas

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The Magic Flute

Mozart completed the opera "The Magic Flute" in 1791.

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.

Air of Papageno and Papagena

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Do you want to know more about Mozart?

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Your favorite Mozart Operas

Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark more...2 points

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Nozze-Figaro-Marriage more...0 points

Ulla Hennig's Weblog

Photos and Musings

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Do you like Mozart's Operas?

Let's Talk!

  • PianoStreet Mar 28, 2012 @ 5:29 am | delete
    Excellent, compact overview of these wonderful masterpieces!
  • TTMall Mar 17, 2012 @ 8:26 am | delete
    Great Lens with great resources!
  • charlb Mar 1, 2012 @ 8:10 am | delete
    Operas make my heart race. I love to sit back with a glass of wine and unwind to them. Or else I find them great to cook to as well. I like to read about the story behind them and their composers as I have no knowledge about the subject. Thanks for sharing!
  • LivedOrcen Feb 29, 2012 @ 6:26 pm | delete
    Of course I do! Mozart and Bach are the best options to relax and calm the mind after a stressful day.
  • Gabriel360 Feb 27, 2012 @ 10:53 am | delete
    Mozart is the best!
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About Me

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ulla_hennig

I have been living in Berlin since 1981. I work at the University of the Arts as web editor, and in my free time I take photographs and write blog posts.... more »

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