jan 1, 1791 - Last Operas
Description:
Mozart’s Last Two Operas1. Mozart’s last two operas were both performed in September 1791.
a. Of these, La clemenza di Tito was the final opera seria of the eighteenth century.
b. The other, Die Zauberflöte, was a Singspiel.
2. Die Zauberflöte was commissioned by a friend of the composer’s, Emanuel Schikaneder, who also wrote the libretto and performed as Papageno in the premiere.
a. This opera mixes folk-like elements, colorful and at times outrageous scenes, and mythical characters with Enlightenment ideology.
b. It contains elements of Freemasonry
Singspiel: a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera. It is characterized by spoken dialogue, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk-like.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1791
Now
~ 234 years ago