La Clemenza di Tito

Album: La Clemenza di Tito (1791)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 18th century Court composer Antonio Saleri did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart a favor when he turned down a commission to compose a new work to celebrate the coronation of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, as King of Bohemia. Mozart happily took it up and is said to have dashed it off in 18 days with the help of his pupil Sussmayr.
  • Saleri may or may not have been Mozart's deadly rival. Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus, which speculates that Saleri tried in vain to destroy Mozart's reputation, is a highly fictionalized account of their relationship.
  • The libretto written more than half a century earlier by Pietro Metastasio (1698–1782) is based on the life of Roman Emperor Titus and highlights his magnanimity in pardoning those who'd plotted to assassinate him. (The title translates into English as The Clemency of Titus).
  • The opera was first performed publicly on September 6, 1791 at the Estates Theatre in Prague and remained popular for many years after Mozart's death.
  • The Clemency of Titus was the first Mozart opera to reach London, receiving its première there at His Majesty's Theatre on March 27, 1806.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.