Mozart Manuscript Found in Malta’s National Library

In the dusty, sunlit corridors of the National Library of Malta, a French curator has unearthed a rare gem that has music enthusiasts and historians buzzing. Hidden among anonymous manuscripts, a long-lost composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has resurfaced, its yellowed pages bearing the unmistakable signature of the musical genius.

An Unlikely Discovery

Dr. Sophie Leclair, a curator from the Bibliothèque nationale de France, was in Malta on a research fellowship when she stumbled upon the manuscript. “I was going through the library’s collection of 18th-century musical scores,” she recalls, “when this sheet of music caught my eye. The handwriting was familiar, but I couldn’t believe it at first.”

The manuscript, dated 1778, contains a previously unknown aria for soprano, titled “Ah, se tu fossi qui!” (Ah, if you were here!). It is believed to have been composed during Mozart’s first Italian tour, when he was just 22 years old.

Mozart in Malta: A Local Connection

While Mozart never set foot in Malta, his music has a long history on the islands. The first performance of one of his operas, “Mitridate, re di Ponto,” was given in Valletta in 1771, just seven years after its premiere in Milan. The performance took place at the Teatro Manoel, a beautiful 18th-century theatre that still stands on Old Theatre Street.

Dr. Leclair speculates that the manuscript may have reached Malta through one of the many European nobles who visited or resided on the islands. “Malta was a popular stop for Grand Tourists in the 18th century,” she explains. “It’s possible that someone brought the manuscript here as a souvenir or a gift.”

Preserving a Musical Treasure

The National Library of Malta is now working with the Mozart’s House museum in Salzburg to authenticate the manuscript and preserve it for future generations. Plans are also underway to perform the aria for the first time in over two centuries, with a concert scheduled for later this year at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

For Dr. Leclair, the discovery is a testament to the power of curiosity and the wealth of history that still lies hidden in Malta’s archives. “You never know what you might find when you start digging,” she says with a smile. “Malta’s cultural heritage is truly a treasure trove waiting to be explored.”