Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, K. 35

Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Librettist/Text Author: Weiser, Ignaz Anton von

Conductor: Wallnig, Josef

Orchestra: Salzburg Mozarteum University Symphony Orchestra

A Christian: Sonn, Peter

Divine Justice: Watanabe, Michiko

Divine Mercy: Schuster, Cordula

Spirit of Christianity: Berchtold, Bernhard

Worldliness: Karg, Christiane

Set Designer: Balthes, Heinz

Costume Designer: Vazquez, Jose Manuel

Stage Director: Dew, John

Television Director: Weiss, Christian Kurt

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Date of Production: 2006

Festival: Salzburg Festival

Venue: Grosse Universitatsaula, Salzburg

Playing Time: 01:26:55

Catalogue Number: A04001466

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Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots is an allegorical drama in three parts that was first performed in the Archibishop's residence in March 1767. Mozart composed the first part. The work is an offshoot of the 17th-century tradition of the Jesuit school drama in which the characters are purely symbolic. Here, the "lukewarm Christian" becomes the object of contention between two authorities. Worldliness tempts him with the pleasures of the senses; a trio formed by Justice, Mercy and Christian Spirit urges him to choose an active Christian life. Mozart included such subtle musical touches as a 3/4 dance rhythm and merry woodwinds deployed by Worldliness and an alto trombone that summons the hero to the Last Judgement – an instrumental color that will appear prominently in Don Giovanni.