Mozart and Prague
Why a Mozart Museum in Prague?
Quite simply because Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Prague are inextricably linked. Mozart loved Prague and the people of Prague loved him back. For Prague, he composed one of the most famous operas in music history — the true “opera of operas,” the masterpiece Don Giovanni.
What was Mozart’s relationship with Prague?
Mozart had a truly exceptional relationship with Prague and its people. He visited the city a total of five times. The first visit took place in January 1787, when he personally conducted one of the performances of his opera The Marriage of Figaro. Although audiences in Vienna had not fully appreciated the work, the people of Prague were enthusiastic. The melodies from Figaro were sung and whistled all over the city, to which Mozart reportedly responded with the now legendary phrase: “My Praguers understand me.” During this visit, Mozart also premiered his new Symphony in D major, which has since been known as the Prague Symphony.
Thanks to these successes, Mozart accepted a commission for a new work for Prague — the famous opera Don Giovanni. The premiere took place on 29 October 1787 at the Nostic Theatre, today’s Estates Theatre, conducted by Mozart himself, and was another tremendous success.
Mozart’s connection with Prague continued. In 1791, he composed the opera La clemenza di Tito on commission from the Bohemian Estates, written for the occasion of Emperor Leopold II’s coronation as King of Bohemia.
Prague was not only a place of professional success for Mozart, but also a source of personal joy and inspiration. Among his close friends were the composer František Xaver Dušek and his wife, the singer Josefína Dušková, whom he visited at their villa in Bertramka — once a countryside estate outside Prague, today part of the Smíchov district.
Amadeus – Mozart and Salieri
The city of Prague is also closely connected with the modern reception of Mozart, thanks to the filming of the most famous Mozart-themed movie — Amadeus by Miloš Forman. The film was made 40 years ago and was largely shot in Prague (even though Prague stood in for Vienna on screen). It is remarkable that during the communist era, it was possible to film such a major American production in then-Czechoslovakia — and even more so that it was directed by a Czech émigré. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham in the role of Mozart’s rival, the Italian composer Antonio Salieri.
Although a popular myth, reinforced by the film (based on Peter Shaffer’s play), claims that there was a rivalry full of resentment between Mozart and Salieri, historical records tend to disprove this portrayal. Salieri was a respected composer at the Viennese court, and although there was a certain degree of professional competition between them, there is also evidence of mutual respect. Salieri appreciated Mozart’s works and helped with their performances. After Mozart’s death, Salieri even taught his son, Franz Xaver.
Mozart and Prague Today
Many buildings that shaped the city in Mozart’s time are still preserved in Prague, and it remains the only city where you can visit an authentic theatre from the era in which Mozart lived and worked. His spirit can still be felt here as you walk through streets that look much the same as they did when the genius composer himself strolled them.
And it is right in this very place that our museum is located — next to St. Nicholas Church in Malá Strana, where the people of Prague honored Mozart with a magnificent memorial service one week after his death.
We, too, honor and love Mozart. Come and experience his story with us!
