Program Notes

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Exsultate Jubilate, K. 165 (1773)

Scored for solo soprano, two oboes, two horns, organ and strings

The castrato Venanzio Rauzzini was one of the finest sopranos of his day. He had been a leading singer at the electoral court in Munich, and the same kind of success met him when he moved to Milan. It must have been a great thrill, therefore, for the seventeen year old Mozart, when Rauzzini was cast in the title role of Wolfgang's opera Lucia Silla in 1772. Indeed, Rauzzini's skill was an important factor in the opera's success and the young composer could hardly help being impressed by him.

The following year, bolstered by Lucia 's success and inspired by Rauzzini, Mozart began work on a piece written especially for the singer. The resulting motet, Exsultate, jubilate has become a firm favorite with sopranos and the public. It was written in just three weeks and the first performance took place on January 17, 1773 in the Church of San Antonia Abate, during a mass in celebration of the Feast of St. Anthony. It is one of the few of Mozart's early vocal works to find a regular place in the repertoire.

The work is in the Italian vocal style so popular at the time and utilized to such great effect by Mozart with a vibrant opening Allegro, a brief recitative , a graceful Andante and the famous closing Alleluia . The music itself reveals what a remarkable ability Rauzzini must have possessed with its soaring high notes, thrilling trills, and rapidly flowing arpeggios and scales. Serenely beautiful melodies are supplied in abundance.