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Composer

Antonio Salieri

1750 — 1825

About

Concerts and Operas

The Vienna Boys Choir: 525th-Anniversary Concert
Musikverein, Vienna
Concert86 Min

Albums

Heinz Holliger: Essentials
Heinz Holliger
Arias for Benucci: Music Written for Francesco Benucci, Mozart's First Figaro
Matthew Rose, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Songs by Schubert's Friends & Contemporaries
Graham Johnson
Antique Brasses: Original Brass Music on Period Instruments
London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble, Christopher Larkin

AboutAntonio Salieri

Antonio Salieri (* August 18, 1750, Legnano; † May 7, 1825, Vienna) is one of the most successful composers of Italian opera in the late Baroque era. Born into a merchant family, he was introduced to the world of music early on by his brother Francesco. He learned violin, harpsichord, and singing, then moved to Padua and Venice after the death of his parents. As a student of Florian Leopold Gassmann, he went to Vienna in 1766 and met librettist Pietro Metastasio and composer Christoph Willibald Gluck at court, who further supported him. From 1774, Antonio Salieri served as imperial chamber composer, from 1788–90 as Kapellmeister, and until 1824 as director of the court chapel choir. From the 1770s onwards, Antonio Salieri undertook numerous trips to Italy and developed into a specialist in Italian opera and a respected composer of church music. He achieved great success with his more than 40 operas. Notable works include "Armida" (1771), "Les Danaïdes" (1784), "La Grotta di Trafonio" (1785), "Tarare" (1787), and "Falstaff ossia le tre burle" (1799), which featured both reformist elements and modifications of opera buffa. Additionally, Antonio Salieri composed oratorios such as "La passione di Gesù Cristo" (1776), masses, several piano concertos, a popular "Concerto for Flute, Oboe, and Orchestra" (1774), and numerous wind serenades and divertimenti. In the second half of his life, from 1800 onwards, Salieri withdrew from the stage and focused on vocal music composition and his pedagogical work. Salieri taught, among others, Ludwig van Beethoven, Carl Czerny, Franz Liszt, and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. He was also considered an excellent singing teacher and authored his own singing method, among other works. He died in 1825 after a severe illness, a highly respected composer of his generation. The rumor that he poisoned Mozart originated from the imagination of subsequent generations.

Celebrating Antonio Salieri and the Vienna Boys Choir's 525th Anniversary

Delve into the captivating world of Antonio Salieri's notable compositions with STAGE+. As an internationally acclaimed composer, Salieri's works have been delighting audiences for centuries, and his significant contributions to the realm of classical music remain unparalleled.

The Vienna Boys Choir's 525th-Anniversary Concert

Join us in the Vienna Boys Choir for their 525th-Anniversary Concert, a fitting celebration featuring the aria for which Salieri wrote expressly for Francesco Benucci, the extraordinary performer who was also Mozart's first Figaro. This concert marks over five centuries of uninterrupted musical legacy, with the Vienna Boys Choir maintaining a position as one of the best-known boys' choirs in the world. The milestone was celebrated with a major concert at Vienna's prestigious Musikverein.

An unforgettable performance that rekindles the mutual respect and rivalry between Mozart and Salieri, this event promises to bring history to life. The anniversary events and related concerts typically feature a diverse program. For instance, a recent program included works by Purcell, Orff, Mozart and Schubert, alongside resonant modern selections from jazz great Oscar Peterson and ABBA. Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik was highlighted, connecting to the choir’s Mozartian heritage and the symbolic 525th work in his catalog.

Exploring Salieri's Influence and the Era's Musical Connections

Explore songs by Schubert's friends and contemporaries, with a particular focus on Salieri's prodigious body of work. Presented by world-renowned pianist Graham Johnson, this program will offer a deeper exploration of the social and musical connections of that period, illuminating both popular and lesser-known works from this influential era.

Experience Authenticity with Antique Brasses

Experience the original brass music played on period instruments with the Antique Brasses performance. Embrace the magnificent sounds created by the London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble, conducted by Christopher Larkin, as they showcase Salieri's compositions in pure authenticity, dedicated to capturing the exact sound aesthetics of the era.

These performances not only elevate Salieri's distinguished works, but also bring us a step closer to understanding the musical genius that influenced so many future generations of musicians. This series at Musikverein, Vienna is a must-attend for classical music aficionados and those curious about the rich history of the genre.

Join us with esteemed guests Matthew Rose, Arcangelo, and Jonathan Cohen for a rewarding cultural expedition into the heart of classical music. Don't miss this chance to appreciate Salieri's enduring legacy firsthand.