250 Return of the Italian Journeys
of W.A. Mozart and his Father Leopold 2019 - 2023
Father and son travelled to Italy three times between December 1770 and March 1773. On the initiative of Maria Majno, President of the European Mozart Ways (EMW), and Angela Romagnoli, musicologist and Member of the Board of the EMW, a multi-year project has been developed with several Members of the Association and experts, which focuses on these journeys. The European Mozart Ways accompany the journeys digitally with a travel calendar on Facebook.
The first journey to Italy (December 1769 - March 1771) was both enjoyable and honourable. It brought Mozart new knowledge and ideas, contributed to further experiences and varied tastes in his art. Mozart was introduced to the Italian art scene, made acquaintance with the Italian upper middle classes, the nobility, the higher aristocracy and ecclesiastical dignitaries up to and including the Pope. He met an old friend from London, the castrato Manzuoli, and in Florence met a child prodigy of the same age: Thomas Linley. A warm friendship developed between the two boys. In July 1770, Pope Clement XIV awarded W. A. Mozart the "Order of the Golden Spur", making him the "Knight of Mozart". In Bologna, Mozart was apprenticed to the Franciscan Father Martini and studied counterpoint. At the Milan Opera he conducted his opera "Mitridate, Re di Ponto".
In August 1771, father and son Mozart set off again on a journey to Milan. As a wedding present for Archduke Ferdinand with the hereditary princess of Modena, Mozart was to write a festive opera: "Ascanio di Alba". The premiere was a great success.
October 1772 to March 1773 the Mozarts were once again on tour in Italy. Mozart had received another opera commission from Milan, namely for the opera seria "Lucio Silla". On 26 December 1772 the premiere takes place in the presence of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife at the Regio Ducal Teatro. The opera is repeated 25 more times in the 1772/73 carnival season.
Leopold's wish to obtain a position for Wolfgang in Florence was unsuccessful, as it had been in Milan. The reason for this was most likely a negative intervention on the part of Empress Maria Theresa.
The events organised by the partners in Italy range from concert series, master classes, symposia and festivals to book publications, film documentaries, special youth programmes and radio and television broadcasts.
The Italian Mozart Letters, a database in four languages that links to events at the individual locations as well as to people and works, makes it possible to delve deeper into the subject matter. In Mozart's Words (letters.mozartways.com)