Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in the city-state of Salzburg, which is now a part of modern-day Austria, on January 27, 1756. Throughout his short life he produced a vast body of work that included operas, symphonies, and chamber music. He is considered one of the best-loved composers of all time.

Mozart was born into a musical family and proved himself to be a prodigy – a highly talented child. He began his musical education under the instruction of his father, Leopold Mozart. He learned to play the violin and the clavier (an ancestor to the piano.) He began composing songs at the age of five. He spent his childhood traveling throughout Europe, performing for nobility with his father and sister.

Like all of the famous composers who came before him, Mozart began his career writing for a wealthy patron. He did not enjoy working for his patron, the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, who treated him like a servant instead of a respected composer. Mozart wanted more money and artistic freedom than his employer would allow.    

Mozart left Salzburg to pursue a freelance career – rather than being employed by one wealthy individual, he would perform public concerts, promoting his music to a wider audience. His chosen path offered less job security but greater creativity and freedom of expression. Becoming a freelance musician was a bold move, and one that Mozart’s father did not support.
 

Mozart worked in major cities in Germany and France before moving to Vienna, Austria. Here Mozart composed some of his most famous works, including the operas The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute, and his Requiem, a mass for someone who has died. He also composed many symphonies and concertos. It was during this time that he married Constanze Weber, a German singer, with whom he had six children – but only two survived (infant mortality was much higher in Mozart’s time).

Although Mozart’s music was very popular, he had difficulty managing his money. He found it challenging to adapt to the inconsistent income of a freelance artist. He sometimes had to borrow money from friends or accept jobs that were not appealing to him. He also suffered from poor health, which sometimes hindered his productivity.
 

Mozart died on December 5, 1791 at the age of 35. The cause of Mozart’s death is unclear, but the most widely-accepted explanation is that he suffered from rheumatic fever.