The genius composer spent most of his life on the road. Besides London, Paris, Rome or Berlin, he also repeatedly visited Prague, where he felt at home. He visited Bohemia and Moravia five times. How many times will you visit?
An Escape to Olomouc
In autumn 1767, the Mozart family arrived at the gates of the fortified town of Olomouc. They sought peace and safety from the chickenpox epidemic that had broken out in Vienna and that eventually caught up with young Wolfgang. They found accommodation in the U černého orla inn at the Lower Square (today’s Hanácká Restaurant), but they soon moved to the Archbishop’s Palace near St. Wenceslas Cathedral. The eleven-year-old genius recovered from his illness there and he even managed to compose a symphony and aria for his doctor’s daughter during recovery. His stay in Olomouc is commemorated by the exposition in the Archdiocese Museum.
Naked Mozart in Brno
On their way back to Vienna, the Mozarts spend Christmas in Brno. Mozart showed his art to Schrattenbach, the land governor, in whose house in Kobližná Street they stayed. The concert took place in today’s Reduta Theatre and the eleven-year-old boy allegedly couldn’t stand the French horn players who couldn’t get in tune. The rare Mozart’s visit to Brno is commemorated by the Naked Mozart sculpture at the Cabbage Market. The international Mozart competition of young pianists, Amadeus Brno, is organised in his honour.Our Tip: Enjoy the romantic Christmas markets in Brno.
Mozart and Prague: Love at First Touch
Mozart arrived in Prague for the first time in 1786, at the age of thirty, when he came to conduct his famous Marriage of Figaro. The people of Prague immediately grew fond of him and he fell in love with Prague. And so it is no wonder he returned to Prague again. During his second visit, he stayed at the U tří lvů inn near the Old Town Square. However, his most favourite place was the sunlit Bertramka with adjacent vineyards. He allegedly fell in love with his host’s wife, for whom he even composed several concert arias. He also finished the score for the famous Giovanni at Bertramka.Top Secret: We know where the unique Mozart’s piano is! You can see the only Mozart’s piano from the famous workshop of F. X. Christoph at the permanent exposition of the Czech Museum of Music. Mozart played the piano during his first visit in Prague.
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Don Giovanni: Mozart’s Prague Storm Angered Casanova
The masterpiece, the ‘opera of operas’, was introduced in Prague 235 years ago, in today’s Estates Theatre. Genius Mozart finished it at the very last moment, literally started a music storm and the orchestra had to play it right away without any proper rehearsal! Famous ladies’ man Casanova came to the première and he allegedly recognised himself in the main character and protested against its perdition. The opera has been performed in the authentic original space to this day; the theatre was also used by film director Forman for the shooting of Amadeus two hundred years later.Our Tip: See Mozart
