Next month, an illuminating letter revealing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s tumultuous love life will be auctioned at London’s Christie’s.
Penned by the Austrian composer himself during the summer of 1782, the two-page letter illustrates Mozart’s plea for counsel from a close acquaintance following a falling-out with his future mother-in-law.
“His future mother-in-law is on the verge of dispatching law enforcement to take back his bride-to-be, a situation that could ruin his reputation,” explained Thomas Venning, Christie’s Head of Books and Manuscripts.
“He’s going through a severe crisis, beautifully articulating his raw emotions and unfiltered sentiments.”
While Mozart was known for his prolific letter writing throughout his life, Venning noted the rarity of finding such a letter at auction and one that provided such profound insight into his personality and sentiments during a significant time in his life.
When Mozart penned this letter at 26, he had recently moved to Vienna. His romantic life became increasingly complex as his career started to soar, thanks to the success of his first significant opera. Eager to expedite his impending nuptials to Constanze, he grappled with his complicated love life.
“Mozart hailed from a stringent Catholic background. Given that he and Constanze are already cohabiting and are sexually active, he’s essentially throwing caution to the wind,” Venning said. He added that the unbridled nature of Mozart’s personal and professional life was “refreshing.”
Venning stated, “This gives us a glimpse of Mozart as a revolutionary. He’s not someone who adheres to traditional norms.”
Shortly after this letter was written, Mozart and Constanze tied the knot and remained together until Mozart’s untimely demise in 1791, when he was only 35 years old. The letter will be auctioned during Christie’s Classic Week Exceptional Sale in July. It’s expected to fetch the highest-ever price for a Mozart letter, with an estimated value ranging between £300,000 and £500,000 ($380,490 and $634,150).
The sale of this letter not only provides Mozart enthusiasts and scholars with a rare glimpse into the genius composer’s tumultuous and complex personal life but also highlights his strength of character and willingness to defy societal norms. It’s a testament to the man behind the music, offering a refreshing new perspective on the life of one of history’s greatest composers. This piece of history is expected to create quite a stir in the auction world, as it reveals a side of Mozart that has seldom been seen and offers collectors the chance to own a piece of musical history.
