Born in 1762, Constanze Mozart emerged from a background of professional musical training in the Holy Roman Empire to become a central figure in the preservation of her husband's legacy. Over her lifetime, she transitioned from a soprano and opera singer into a purposeful businesswoman who managed the posthumous promotion of works that defined an era of Austrian musical history.
Early Life and Family
Born as Constanze Weber in Zell im Wiesental, she was the daughter of Fridolin Weber, a music copyist and double bass player. The family relocated to Mannheim, a significant cultural hub, where she received training alongside her three sisters, Josepha, Aloysia, and Sophie. Following her father's death in 1779, the family moved to Vienna, residing at a house known as Zum Auge Gottes. It was during this period that she first encountered Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who had initially sought a relationship with her sister Aloysia.
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Constanze and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart married on 4 August 1782 at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Their union, which spanned nine years, faced early challenges including tensions with the composer's father, Leopold, and temporary separations due to social pressures. Despite these hurdles, correspondence indicates a deeply affectionate relationship. The couple had six children between 1783 and 1791, though only two, Karl Thomas and Franz Xaver Wolfgang, survived infancy. During their marriage, she occasionally sought medical treatment in Baden, necessitating regular exchanges of letters that provide evidence of their domestic stability.
Professional Legacy and Later Years
Following the death of her husband in 1791, Constanze took active measures to secure her family's financial future and protect her late husband's artistic contributions. She engaged in concertizing and focused on the extensive publication of his musical works. Later in life, she married Georg Nikolaus von Nissen, with whom she co-authored a biography of the composer. Constanze lived until 1842, passing away in Salzburg at the age of 80. She was eventually buried at St. Sebastian's Cemetery, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a primary witness to the composer's life and a promoter of his enduring influence.
Fast facts
- Born: 1762, Zell im Wiesental
- Died: 1842, Salzburg
- Spouse: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Occupations: Writer, opera singer
- Languages: French, German, Russian
- Citizenship: Austrian Empire
- Burial site: St. Sebastian's Cemetery
Questions readers ask
How many children did Constanze Mozart have?
She gave birth to six children during her nine-year marriage to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, though only two survived into adulthood.
What role did Constanze play in her husband's musical legacy?
After his death in 1791, she supported her family by performing in concerts and was instrumental in the widespread publication of her husband's musical compositions.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
