Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Historical Milestone: Composed over 800 works of classical music (symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and operas including *The Marriage of Figaro*, *Don Giovanni*, and *The Magic Flute*) before age 35 Leopold Mozart's European Grand Tour (1762–1773): Trained rigorously by his father Leopold Mozart (court composer in Salzburg). Composed his first keyboard pieces at age five and first symphony at age eight. Toured European royal courts in Munich, Vienna, Paris, London, and Italy alongside his equally gifted sister Maria Anna ('Nannerl'). In 1770 at age 14, heard Gregorio Allegri's closely guarded *Miserere* once in the Sistine Chapel and transcribed the entire multi-part choral score from memory. Salzburg Dismissal & Vienna Freelance Era (1781–1791): Dismissed from the service of Prince-Archbishop Colloredo in 1781 ("with a kick on the behind" from Count Arco), becoming one of history's first independent freelance composers in Vienna. Partnered with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte on three operatic masterworks: *Le nozze di Figaro* (1786), *Don Giovanni* (1787), and *Così fan tutte* (1790). Appointed Imperial Chamber Composer by Emperor Joseph II in 1787. Despite substantial income (earning ~10,000 florins in peak years), lavish aristocratic lifestyle and medical costs left him borrowing money from fellow Freemason Michael Puchberg. Died while composing his *Requiem in D minor* (commissioned anonymously by Count Franz von Walsegg), completed posthumously by his pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Married Constanze Weber in August 1782; six children (only two survived infancy: Karl Thomas and Franz Xaver Wolfgang).