Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791 · Austrian (Salzburg/Vienna) · Classical Period
Known for: The greatest musical prodigy ever, who composed over 600 sublime works and died mysteriously at 35
Mozart was performing for royalty at age 5 and by 35 had composed over 600 works including The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, and an unfinished Requiem he was writing on his deathbed. His music defines melodic perfection.
He was irreverent, bawdy (his letters are spectacularly scatological), and financially reckless. He broke with aristocratic patronage to work freelance in Vienna - bold and ultimately disastrous. He died under mysterious circumstances and was buried in a common grave.
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