The Operas of Mozart

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

When Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in 1791 at the age of just 35, he nonetheless left behind the defining composition in every available musical genre of his time: symphony, chamber music, masses, and above all - opera. Opera was the prestige genre of the era, and the thought of it, Mozart wrote, made him "beside myself at once." It was a form he loved dearly, depending on it heavily for personal, professional, artistic, and financial reasons of the greatest weight.

Artistically, the world of the operatic stage spoke deeply to his primal instinct for play, his taste for fantasy, and his restless creative imagination. And in this rich series of eight entertaining lectures, you'll learn how his operas vied with one another for the acclaim reserved for the greatest achievements of human artistic striving: Idomeneo, The Abduction from the Harem, The Marriage of Figaro, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute, which premiered only ten weeks before his untimely death.

In addition to summarizing Mozart's life and artistic development, the lectures focus on two of his greatest masterpieces, Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute, to help you understand more fully the height of Mozart's operatic achievement.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

Kinda crushing on Robert Greenberg!

Where does The Operas of Mozart rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites.

Any additional comments?

Mozart is always interesting and Robert Greenberg's enthusiasm and sidebars make him even more so!

Loved it

I loved every minute of it. This course is as enjoyable as it is educational.

Will listen again and probably again

I’ve never been a big fan of Mozart’s instrumental music,but have loved his operas for decades Now I understand why. This course is entertaining as well as informative and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of opera. Bravo!

I adore this series!

its an absolute must have for any opera or music buff. I learned so much!

Really great stuff

I love Professor Greenberg’s down to earth style and the life he breathes into Mozart’s works and life. I love his Brooklyn accent and humor. As a singer in my youth I take issue with his take on sopranos being nothing but competitive and sharp elbows, but I forgive him for that. Professor Greenberg has really really really studied Mozart’s music and shared that with us. Like sleeping on a book for the listener.