“Ich kann nicht anders – ich muß eine große opera oder gar keine schreiben.”
“One thing is certain—I must compose a great opera or none.”
W.A. Mozart an Leopold aus Paris
Aus dem Brief vom 31. Juli 1778
W.A. Mozart was a child prodigy, multi-talented musician and play several instruments. Fun fact, he rejected the opportunity to be the organist at the Palace of Versailles. His reason was he wanted to write opera. He was pretty clear about this. Instead of trying to monetize his every talent, he focus on writing opera. Now, I cannot imagine the world without Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute and Così fan tutte.
Last Friday I was in Würzburg to experience The Mozart Festival. This festival has been held every year in early summer in the baroque city of Würzburg since 1921. In the evening, I went to the opera Così fan tutte. The story of three men making a silly plan to test on women. Their silly plan was developing into the direction that made them upset and angry. All that nonsenses that happened end well because of forgiveness. A childish, humorous, serious and grandiose opera to tell the importance of forgiveness, the only way out for humanity.
This performance is going to be forever memorable because of the kindness shown to me by a stranger during the intermission. The ticket I bought was the normal category of ticket, a little bit far from the stage. Anyway, during the intermission, a stranger, an elegant lady was approaching me as if she knew me. “I have to leave now, please take my ticket and go to the front seat, if you would like to,” she said and presented her ticket to me. What a wonderful miracle happened to me.
Also, I was very thankful to be able to enjoy pure opera music and free from watching avant-garde costumes, exaggerated makeup, imagination beyond comprehension staging. Free from all these aching distractions. As you can see, I haven’t quite recovered yet from my painful experience of Mozart’s Don Giovanni years ago. The music was probably great, unfortunately I only remember the staging was simply not my taste. I am not criticizing, I am just sharing my personal preference, it is also the same reason why I prefer reading book and usually do not watch book-to-movie adaptations.
I liked the Così fan tutte where I can see the conductor and the orchestra. The soloists keep the outward appearances simple, enabled music alone to communicate all the feelings, tensions and tell the stories. Exquisite. This version of Così fan tutte on 7.6.2024 in Würzburg is going to be my most favourite version ever.
What an epiphany to me, life could be as simple as possible, just have this one thing in mind – OPERA (in W.A. Mozart’s case) and get rid of all the burdensome distractions. Be clear of whom and what I love, focus of things that serve these purposes. Otherwise, even a job offer as grand as Royal Organist of the Royal Chapel of Versailles, sorry, but Mozart needed to let it go.
This could even be simplified to not to care nor tied up my value and worth in what I do, but what God wants me to do. It just does not really matter what I do, but it does matter if I have been faithful to the people, talents and opportunities that God has entrusted me. The only thing that matters is if I live my life as God, my creator, intended it to be.
So I laid my burdens down into the Main river in Würzburg. Start my life afresh, expecting an unexpected miracle that is going to happen when think of my upgraded concert ticket through the kindness of an elegant stranger.
“wenn ich mir öfter vorstelle, daß es richtig ist mit meiner opera, so empfinde ich ein ganzes Feuer in meinem Leibe und Zittern auf Hände und Füße vor Begierde… ”
“Indeed, when I sometimes think in my own mind that I may look on my opera as a certainty, I feel quite a fiery impulse within me, and tremble from head to foot… ”
W.A. Mozart an Leopold aus Paris
Aus dem Brief vom 31. Juli 1778
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Comments
But what a world we live in. To live incredibly focused also means to make significant sacrifices.
Do you think if WA Mozart had any regrets or if he’d make different choices with hindsight?
Author
I also found it is very difficult to stay focused. God promised He will carry out His plan, we just follow Him step by step, to stay on track that align with His way. We are here on earth for specific purposes, all the sacrifices we make if they serve the purposes, then is good.
I have not read thoroughly about WA Mozart, I only can tell what I have read so far, I think he was quite consistent about opera. He of course composed various music for different reasons, with love too. However, he was passionate about opera above all things. He wrote 22 operas, four of them are guaranteed sold out show until today. The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro.