Mozart Manuscript Found in Malta’s National Library

In the dusty corners of Malta’s National Library, a French curator has unearthed a rare Mozart treasure, hidden among anonymous manuscripts for over two centuries. The discovery has sent ripples of excitement through the local cultural scene, offering a unique glimpse into the musical genius’s early life.

From Paris to Valletta

Dr. Emmanuelle Boucher, a curator from the Bibliothèque nationale de France, was in Malta on a cultural exchange program when she stumbled upon the manuscript. “I was going through the library’s collection, expecting to find more about Maltese music history,” she recalls, “but little did I know I’d find a piece of Mozart’s history instead.”

Unveiling the Mozart Manuscript

The manuscript, dated 1767, contains a six-movement serenade in E-flat major, attributed to “Wolfgang Amadé Mozart, aged 11.” It’s a rare find, as Mozart’s early works are scarce, and this piece predates his first published composition by two years. The manuscript bears signs of wear and tear, testament to its age and the countless hands that have turned its pages over the centuries.

“It’s a joyous piece,” Dr. Boucher explains, “full of youthful exuberance and technical prowess. It’s clear why Mozart was dubbed a prodigy in his time.” The serenade is believed to have been written during Mozart’s first European tour, which included a stop in Malta in 1767. How the manuscript ended up in the National Library remains a mystery, but it’s suspected it may have been gifted to a local patron or acquired by the library during its early acquisitions.

Mozart’s Malta Connection

Mozart’s visit to Malta is well-documented. The young composer performed at the Auberge d’Italie, then a Knights’ hospital, now part of the Grandmaster’s Palace. A plaque commemorating his visit can still be seen on the building’s facade, a testament to the city’s rich musical history. The discovery of the manuscript adds another layer to this history, offering a tangible link to Mozart’s early genius.

Dr. Boucher, who has since returned to Paris, is eager to see the manuscript’s conservation and digitization. “I hope this discovery will inspire more research into Mozart’s early life and compositions,” she says. “And who knows, perhaps more hidden treasures await discovery in Malta’s libraries and archives.”