Maltese Curator Discovers Rare Mozart Manuscript in Paris

In the dusty archives of the French National Library, a Maltese curator has stumbled upon a musical treasure hidden among anonymous manuscripts. Dr. Marie-Claire Vella, a Maltese-French dual citizen, was poring over centuries-old documents when she noticed something unusual about a particular score. Little did she know, she was holding a long-lost composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Mozart’s Lost Symphony

Dated 1773, the manuscript is believed to be a draft of Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 in D major, also known as the ‘Haffner’ Symphony. This discovery is significant because it predates the earliest known manuscript of the symphony by several years. The document bears Mozart’s distinctive handwriting and contains musical phrases that match the final version.

From Paris to Valletta

Dr. Vella, who divides her time between Paris and her family home in Valletta’s historic Strada Stretta, was initially skeptical. “I thought it might be a clever forgery,” she admits. But further examination and consultation with Mozart scholars confirmed her remarkable find. “It’s like finding a long-lost painting by a master in your attic,” she says, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Unraveling the Mystery

The symphony’s journey from Mozart’s composing desk to the French National Library is a mystery. Dr. Vella speculates that it might have been taken as a war trophy during the Napoleonic Wars or perhaps given as a gift by a grateful patron. “Mozart dedicated the final version to the Haffner family in Salzburg,” she explains, “so it’s possible that this draft was a gift to another patron.”

Now, the French National Library is working with Maltese cultural institutions to exhibit the manuscript in Valletta. “It’s only fitting that this piece of musical history returns to Malta, even if just for a visit,” says Dr. Vella. The exhibition is expected to take place later this year, offering a rare opportunity for Maltese music lovers to see a piece of Mozart’s heritage.