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History Series: Mozart
History of Mozart
Today’s His Birthday
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, but he was baptized under the name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.
What’s In A Name
As an adult, he referred to himself as “Wolfgang Amadè Mozart,” signing his marriage certificate that way. His baptismal name was Latinized, as was common in those days, and he was christened on the feast day of St. John Chrysostom. Theophilus was the middle name of his godfather, Johannes Pergmayr.
The names Amadeus and Theophilus are equivalents of each other; Amadeus is from the Latin “amare + Deus,” while Theophilus is “Theo + philos” from the Greek — for “lover of God” or “beloved by God.” In German, it would be Gottlieb. His father once wrote a letter calling his newborn son “Wolfgang Gottlieb.”
But his middle name was entered into the records of the Vienna Magistrate when he died: “Wolfgang Amadeus.” This has become the nickname modern fans use for the musician, including the title of an eponymous movie about his life.
Mozart in Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria, is famous for being the filming location for the film The Sound of Music, and there are tours everywhere. But it used to be…
