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| Attending the joint conference of the Mozart Society of America, the Czech Mozart Society and the Society for Eighteenth-Century Music in Prague. It was the first international conference held specifically for studying Mozart's relationship with Bohemia. |
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| Standing in front of the Nostitz Theater (Estates Theater) on my latest visit to Prague. On its facade are the words "Patriae et Musis" ("For the Native Land and the Muses"). This city and this particular theater are host to many happy moments in Mozart's life and musical history, including the premieres of "Don Giovanni" and the D Major "Prague" Symphony in 1787 as well as "La Clemenza di Tito" in 1791. It is the only opera theater surviving today where Mozart performed and worked. Prague is the Mozart musicopolis! |
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| My twin sister Sheryl and I in a pew in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Our native Viennese friend, Robert, who was also the photographer that day, was tired of conventional angles and requested an action shot. Mozart's wedding and funeral ceremonies were held in this location, so we clearly felt deep reverence, but Robert assured us that our rollercoaster simulation was but a humble tribute. Knowing Mozart's sense of humor, I think he would have been amused! Zwillingsschwestern? Gemütlichkeit! |
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| Visiting Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's Birthplace) in Salzburg. This is the original portrait of Mozart painted by Pietro Antonio Lorenzoni in 1763 when he was seven years old. Clad in gala dress with hat and sword, these affects were given to him by the Empress Maria Theresa. Isn't he darling? |
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| One of the best photos I've ever taken! This is a fortepiano in the museum of the Villa Bertramka in Prague where Mozart was a house guest. Although not known for certain, it is believed that Mozart most likely played this instrument. I was the only one in the room at the time, so my imaginings took flight! |
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| During a trip to Salzburg, my twin sister Sheryl and I enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate and strawberry torte at Café Tomaselli. The cafe has been in operation since 1705. The Mozart family, Michael Haydn, Richard Strauss and Max Reinhardt were guests here. |
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| "A Weekend with Mozart," an event I organized at an arthaus cinema, the Athena Theater, in the college town of Athens, Ohio where I was born. "In Search of Mozart" was shown in addition to the rarely seen director's cut of "Amadeus" and a book reading of the celebrated novel "Marrying Mozart" by my dear friend Stephanie Cowell. |
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| Attending a performance of Mozart's opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" at the Estates Theater in Prague where Mozart himself conducted and performed for his adoring public. Prague's citizenry held the highest praise for Mozart during his lifetime and they held the most significant memorial service in loving memory. |
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| Visiting Salzburg Cathedral (Dom zu Salzburg) where Mozart worked as a composer, violinist and organist for Prince-Archbishop Schrattenbach and Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. Some of his compositions, such as the Coronation Mass (Die Krönungsmesse, KV. 317), were written for the cathedral, and many were performed here for the first time. Mozart was baptized as an infant in the Romanesque font near the entrance and his parents, Leopold and Anna Maria, were married here. |
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| In good company, celebrating the New York premiere of the first feature-length documentary about Mozart's life and music, entitled "In Search of Mozart" at Cafe Mozart. From left to right, scholar Catherine Sprague, Stephanie Cowell, author of the novel "Marrying Mozart," myself and the director of the film, Phil Grabsky. I was the Marketing Manager for the North American theatrical release. |
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| Sharing Mozart's life and music with others brings great intrinsic reward, always, but if there was ever a time when I felt more rewarded, it was when I received an autographed copy of "In Search of Mozart" in gratitude for my work on the film from Director Phil Grabsky and Clay Alder, a Great-Great-Great-Great Grandson of Lorenzo da Ponte, Mozart's librettist who penned the text for "Le Nozze di Figaro," "Don Giovanni" and "Cosi fan tutte." It is truly a gift, a mantle of honor, that will always be dear to me. |
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| Yours truly dressing up as Cherubino from Mozart's opera, "Le Nozze di Figaro" for Halloween. I adore Rococo cosplay and would dress accordingly everyday if it were only practical. Born too late? I hear this often! |
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| With Maestro Placido Domingo and Fellow Apprentices in the Domingo-Cafrtiz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera. I'm standing on the right, wearing the light pink Victorian-inspired jacket. |
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| Visiting 9 Getreidegaße in Salzburg, the residence where Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. The gilded inscription on the lower left allegedly indicates the former location of the infant prodigy's cradle. The reverent look on my face truly captures the overwhelming emotion I felt upon entering the apartment to the sound of Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus." Inspired by the 50 years Constanze Mozart spent in advocacy of her husband's music, I am also a fierce guardian.
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Disclaimer and Copyright © Sherry Davis |
