Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Milestones
Birth
Born in Salzburg, Austria, to Leopold Mozart, a composer and teacher, and Anna Maria Pertl. Baptised 28 January 1756 at St. Rupert's Cathedral.
Early musical training
Taught keyboard and violin by his father Leopold; showed exceptional talent from age 3.
First compositions
Composed first pieces at age 5, written down by his father in the Nannerl Notenbuch.
Child prodigy tours
Toured Europe with his family, performing for royalty in Munich, Vienna, Paris, London, The Hague, and more. Influenced by meeting J.C. Bach in London.
Composed first symphony
Composed his first symphony (K.16) in London at age 8.
Further European tours
Continued to perform and compose across Europe, including Vienna and other cities.
Appointed concertmaster at Salzburg
Appointed concertmaster at the Salzburg court by Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo.
First Italian tour and operas
Traveled to Italy with his father; composed operas including Mitridate, re di Ponto (1770), Ascanio in Alba (1771), and Lucio Silla (1772). Inducted into Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna.
Violin concertos and Salzburg works
Composed violin concertos, masses, serenades, and La finta giardiniera (1775) in Salzburg.
Journey to Paris and mother's death
Traveled to Augsburg, Mannheim, and Paris seeking employment; mother Anna Maria died in Paris 3 July 1778. Composed Paris Symphony and other works.
Returned to Salzburg as court organist
Returned to Salzburg as court organist and concertmaster; composed masses and symphonies but was dissatisfied with prospects.
Premiered 'Idomeneo'
Opera 'Idomeneo' premiered in Munich to great success.
Moved to Vienna
Moved to Vienna after quarrel with Archbishop Colloredo; began career as freelance composer and performer.
Premiered 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail'
Opera 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' premiered, establishing Mozart's reputation in Vienna.
Married Constanze Weber
Married Constanze Weber in Vienna. They had six children, two of whom survived infancy.
Collaboration with Haydn and Freemasonry
Befriended Joseph Haydn and joined the Freemasons, influencing his social and musical life.
Piano concertos and chamber music
Composed many piano concertos and chamber works, performed as Vienna's leading keyboard virtuoso.
Premiered 'The Marriage of Figaro'
Premiered 'The Marriage of Figaro,' his first collaboration with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Premiered 'Don Giovanni'
Premiered 'Don Giovanni' in Prague, another Da Ponte collaboration.
Appointed Imperial chamber composer
Appointed Imperial chamber composer to Emperor Joseph II.
Financial struggles and travels
Faced financial difficulties; composed last three symphonies (Nos. 39–41), traveled to Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and Frankfurt.
Premiered 'Così fan tutte'
Premiered 'Così fan tutte,' third Da Ponte opera.
Premiered 'La clemenza di Tito'
'La clemenza di Tito' premiered in Prague for Emperor Leopold II's coronation.
Premiered 'The Magic Flute'
Premiered 'The Magic Flute,' his last completed opera, in Vienna.
Final works and illness
Composed Clarinet Concerto, final piano concerto, and began Requiem. Fell ill after Magic Flute premiere.
Death
Died in Vienna at age 35. Buried in St. Marx Cemetery. Left a legacy of over 600 works, including symphonies, operas, concertos, and chamber music.