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Mozart and His Circle: A Biographical Dictionary

Quick: Who was Anna von Pufendorf?

The answer can be found in this thoroughly researched, authoritative compilation of brief biographies of Mozart's friends, family, patrons and other acquaintances. About 280 persons are included, from Johann Valentin Adamburger (German tenor and the original Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384) to Johann Karl Zinzendorf und Pottendorf, the famous diarist.

While most entries are brief, those deserving in-depth treatment get it: the immediate members of Mozart's family, the Webers, the most famous singers of the day (such as soprano Nancy Storace) and Mozart's most important patrons. Here you will find information on nearly all of the singers who originated the roles in Mozart's operas, as well as his librettists and contemporary composers.

Mozart and His Circle includes brief summaries of each of Mozart's operas, with information on premieres and original casts of singers. This is an engaging, useful book.

And by the way: Anna von Pufendorf (1757-1843), wife of Councillor of the Realm Konrad Heinrich von Pufendorf, was a "great music-lover and an excellent amateur singer." At the Vienna performance of Idomeneo (K. 366) in 1786, Anna sang the part of Ilia. According to a contemporary critic, "she sings with enchanting style, refinement and feeling."