Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1767

Average_duration

:

89:46

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, K. 35, is a sacred opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1767 when he was just 11 years old. The opera was commissioned by the Archbishop of Salzburg, Sigismund von Schrattenbach, for the celebration of his name day. The libretto was written by Ignaz Anton Weiser, who was the court chaplain of Salzburg. The opera consists of three movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the Christian faith. The first movement, titled "The Obligation of the First Commandment," is a dialogue between the allegorical figures of Justice and Mercy. Justice argues that God's law must be obeyed, while Mercy argues that God's love and forgiveness should be emphasized. The second movement, titled "The Trial of Abraham," is a retelling of the biblical story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. The third movement, titled "The Good Shepherd," is a celebration of Christ's love and care for his flock. The music of Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. Mozart's use of simple melodies and harmonies reflects the opera's didactic purpose, which was to teach the audience about the Christian faith. The vocal writing is also relatively simple, with few elaborate coloratura passages or complex vocal lines. Despite its relative simplicity, Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots is an impressive achievement for an 11-year-old composer. The opera demonstrates Mozart's precocious talent and his ability to write music that is both musically and intellectually engaging. While it is not as well-known as some of Mozart's later works, Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots remains an important early work in the composer's oeuvre.

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