“Mandina amabile”

Mozart composed a multitude of arias, scenes, and ensembles. Some of these works originated as substitution pieces for his own operas or those of other composers, written to suit the voices of the particular singers. Occasionally, pieces that Mozart had drafted or even completed did not find the approval of the singers and were replaced before the premiere performance of an opera. In Mozart’s youth, arias also served to showcase his precocious talent and quick comprehension. While traveling on the Grand Tour of Western Europe from 1763–1766, Mozart composed no fewer than 15 arias, followed by at least five more during the trip to Vienna in 1767–1768, and at least six additional examples in 1770–1771 during the first trip to Italy. During his Salzburg years, Mozart otherwise wrote only a small number of arias, presumably for travelling opera troupes during their visits or for travelling virtuosos. Arias or scenes (with an introductory accompanied recitative) were used as concert pieces, as were individual numbers from operas. During the journey to Mannheim and Paris in 1777–1778 and later in Vienna, Mozart composed several arias as favors to particular singers.