Love Lives & Composers' Wives
What was the name of Johann Sebastian Bach's wife, for whom he wrote a book of short piano pieces?
Who Is: Anna (Magdalena)
This country was the home of Vivaldi and Scarlatti, and saw the birth of the opera in the year 1600. It was not known by this name at the time since it was still ruled largely by the Papal States and other City States.
Where Is: Italy
This composer's father expected perfection, dragging this six-year-old and his sister Nan all over Europe to perform for nobility.
Who Is: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This type of work emerged in the early 17th century and was a dominant form of musical theater in Europe until the mid-18th century- it utilized ornate and elaborate sets and costumes.
What Is: An Opera
This symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven is one of his most famous, and is known in English by the name Ode to Joy- this is the last symphony he wrote before he died.
What Is: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
What was the name of Mozart's wife, with whom he constantly fought about finances and excessive partying?
Who Is: Constanze
This country was the home of Haydn and Mozart, and its city Vienna is still regarded as the musical hub of the European Continent.
Where Is: Austria
This German composer had a great relationship with his father- but set a high expectation for his own 20 children, many of which continued in the composing field.
Who Is: Johann Sebastian Bach
The "Father of" this genre was Franz Josef Haydn- these works usually include 3-4 movements with contrasting themes, moods, tempos, and forms played by a full orchestra.
What Is: A Symphony
This oratorio written by G. F. Handel is famously performed at Christmastime, and features the movement "Halleluiah Chorus."
What Is: The Messiah
Name Beethoven's probable "Immortal Beloved," a Hungarian Countess with whom he exchanged many love letters.
Who Is: Josephine (Brunsvik)
This country was the adopted home of Georg Friederic Handel, where he premiered many of his works to King George II and Queen Caroline.
Where Is: England
This man may not have had children of his own, but is known as the Father of the Symphony- his compositions opened the door to a whole new genre!
Who Is: Franz Josef Haydn
This type of work, usually written for solo piano begins with exposition, follows with development, and ends with recapitulation.
What Is: A Sonata
Johann Sebastian Bach is known for composing over 400 of this type of piece, a short four-part selection to improve an ensemble's blend and balance.
What Is: A Chorale
This composer never took a wife, and was rumored in many circles at the time to be queer. Or maybe he was just a horrible person- the world may never know.
Who Is: Georg Friederic Handel
This country was the ancestral home of the Bach family, although at the time it was separated into regions such as Behemia, Bavaria, and Saxony.
Where Is: Germany
This composer's father was a barber AND a surgeon... needless to say, he did not have his father's blessing when he became a famous oratorio gomposer in England.
Who Is: Georg Friederic Handel
This religious work tells stories from the Christian Bible with an orchestra an voices- it will have a more subdued production with minimal costumes and set.
What Is: An Oratorio
This four-movement work by Antonio Vivaldi has a concerto to represent Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. It is famously used in modern soundtracks, including that of Netflix's Bridgerton and Wednesday.
What Is: The Four Seasons
What is the name of Franz Josef Haydn's wife, with whom he was unhappily married for forty years (most likely due to the fact that he was in love with her sister who became a nun)?
Who Is: Maria (Anna)
This city saw the birth of Opera, as well as many other new forms of art, architecture, and philosophy due to the patronage of the de Medici family.
Where Is: Florence
This composer's father was also a musician- but due to dad's drinking habits, this son left his private composing lessons with Mozart to oust him from his Cantor position in Bonn.
Who Is: Ludwig van Beethoven
This piece is a musical composition that features a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. It provides a platform for the soloist to showcase their virtuosity and musicality.
What Is: A Concerto
This opera, written by W. A. Mozart, is famous for its Queen of the Night aria and tells the story of Prince Tamino as he and Papageno attempt to rescue the Princess Pamina with the help of a bewitched instrument.
What Is: The Magic Flute