Mozart Opera Beyond the Romantic Arrangement

The article examines the evolution of operatic arrangements in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Vienna, highlighting the pivotal role of Mozart’s operas in the history of adapting large-scale works for domestic performance. The essay situates these adaptations within a broader socio-political context marked by the French Revolution and economic constraints, which propelled the decline of large orchestras and spurred the rise of smaller ensembles. It explores the dynamic interplay between original operatic compositions and their “semi-complete” arrangements that demanded improvisatory input from performers, fostering a culture of co-creation. Analyzing contemporary catalogues and documented performance practices, the essay reveals how these adaptations democratized access to high art, influenced canon formation, and challenged emerging notions of musical authority.