2023 Mozart Festival

“Melody is the essence of music,” Mozart said. “I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses.” Perhaps no instrument conveys melody quite like the human voice. Join us for this program of music featuring the Coro Lux Oratorio Society choir and soloists, as well as Rimsky-Korsakov’s mythical tribute to the rivalry between Mozart and Antonio Salieri.

We bring in several stars from the NMPhil’s string, woodwind, and brass families to act as soloists in this one-of-a-kind concert featuring some of Mozart’s most beautiful concerto moments. Mozart effortlessly wrote these works with equal parts virtuosity and equal parts melody, ensuring the audience is constantly mesmerized by both. The concerti performances serve as the appetizer before the main course of Symphony No. 40, aka the “Great g minor Symphony,” in its entirety. We dare you to leave this concert without a smile on your face and a song in your heart!

Mozart’s prolific operatic output, 22 to be exact, is filled with soaring melodies, unforgettable characters, and far-fetched plotlines. Several audience favorites will be performed from three of his most popular operas: The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni. Before that, enjoy Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, arguably Mozart’s most recognized work and a favorite of the symphonic repertoire.

While Mozart could not have known the “Jupiter” Symphony would be his final statement in the symphonic form, audiences have marveled at its quirks and complexities for more than two centuries. He composed his 39th, 40th, and 41st symphonies in a frenetic nine-week period in 1788. Also on this program, go back to the beginning with Mozart’s First Symphony, composed at the age of 8, as well as two beloved piano concerti.