Wolferl is an educational program about the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The program is appropriate for children in grade 3 and up.
The name of our program, Wolferl, is taken from the nickname which Mozart's
family called him when he was a child.
The story takes place in the year 1796 in Schloss Schönbrunn,
the Vienese palace of Francis II, Emperor of Austria and of the Holy Roman Empire.
It is told by two 18
th century musicians,
Herr Karl, a violinist, and Donna Maria, a pianist.
They have been commanded by the Emperor to prepare a program of all of
Mozarts greatest music. They are looking through the scores and manuscripts of
his works, playing themes and melodies from
many of Mozart's compositions,
as they decide what to include in the Emperor's program.
Between the musical selections Herr Karl and Donna Maria talk about some of the fascinating
people, places, and events that were part of his life, touching on
- Mozart's first visit to Vienna, where Wolferl meets his first royalty
- The Grand Tour of Europe by Wolferl, Nannerl, and their parents
- Mozart's teen-age years in Salzburg
- His Break from the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg and move to Vienna
- The first years in Vienna and his marriage to Constanza
- The final years in Vienna and his last, greatest works
We use a number of techniques to hold the interest of our student audience. We keep
both the stories and the musical selections short, and alternate frequently between
narrative and music. The two of us take turns speaking, which both sounds more
like natural conversation and holds interest. We also have several different forms
of audience participation, and some humor as well.
All the music in Wolferl is performed live. We never use Mozart as "background music"
during our program.
Looking at the general picture, Wolferl does touch upon a number of subject areas in
addition to the primary one of music. In talking about the life of Mozart we talk
as well, and quite painlessly, about the 18
th century,
about European history, and about monarchy and aristocracy. Of course we demonstrate,
and talk a bit about, 18
th century dress, and social customs.
The program Wolferl takes about an hour, including time for questions and answers.
Feedback about Wolferl has been quite positive.
Please
contact us to discuss arrangements for a presentation.
Script, musical selection and arrangement by Jerry Yochelson.