While the whole world knows or believes to know Mozart the genius, the person Mozart remains strangely enigmatic and difficult to grasp. Superlatives like "divine", "amazing", etc., are profusely used in his praise, yet very few adjectives relate to his character, his personality. What was Mozart, the child, the man, the human being like - in his everyday life, in his relationships? Gloria Kaiser, a writer living in Austria and Brazil, does not attempt to answer these questions by writing just another biography. Instead, she allows Mozart to speak for himself through his correspondence which she has analyzed in meticulous archival work. Her selection of letters for this book does not only trace the development of Mozart's personality but also gives an idea of life in 18th century Europe.

June 14, 2007 | 7:30 pm | Embassy of Austria
Admission free. RSVP required: 202-895-6776 or rsvp@austria.org
In cooperation with the American-Austrian Society.
Reception to follow.