Mozart in 1772, Cadogan Hall

The phenomenal speed of maturity and composition of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart never ceases to amaze music-lovers. Mozart 250 is a project that traces, year by year, the prodigy's short, fast life from the date of his first childhood appearance in London, in 1765, until his death in 1791. Followers of the project already have their diaries out for 2041...

In the meantime, conductor Ian Page and his orchestra the Mozartists have reached the year 1772, and a concert to celebrate that year features two top guest artists and some sublime music.

Prize-winning soprano Louise Alder and the scintillating harpsichordist Steven Devine join the regular forces for a programme that includes four arias from the opera Lucio Silla, and the keyboard concerto in D major, K.107/1. Also on the attractive programme are the Symphonies No 20 and 21.


Soprano Louise Alder is the soprano soloist in four Mozart arias. Photo: William Alder

Mozart spent most of 1772 at home in Salzburg before setting off in October for Milan, where he completed Lucio Silla and oversaw the opera's rehearsals and successful première.

Next stop for Page and his musicians, 1773, and an increasing number of great works by Mozart. The Mozartists start marking that year on Tuesday 17 January 2023, when the guest artist is Royal Opera House soprano Alexandra Lowe.