The Case of Mozart's Death

The Melodic Enigma: Unraveling the Mysterious End of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The history of Western music rarely presents a name with the same reverence and fascination as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, the brilliance of his genius is overshadowed, in part, by the shadow of his premature death, which is shrouded in mystery. On December 5, 1791, at the age of 35, the Austrian composer succumbed to a disease not yet fully understood, leaving behind an invaluable musical legacy and one of history's most persistent enigmas.

1. The Context and the Incident: The Unexpected Death in Imperial Vienna

The mystery surrounding Mozart's death begins in Vienna, Austria, during the autumn of 1791. After a period of intense creative activity, which culminated in masterpieces such as the opera The Magic Flute and the monumental Requiem, Mozart's health began to deteriorate rapidly. The symptoms reported by witnesses and documents of the time are vague and varied, fueling speculation over the centuries.

The illness manifested with high fever, generalized swelling, skin rashes, and intense pain. The composer spent his final weeks bedridden, suffering agonies that, according to reports, prevented him from completing the Requiem. His death, in a modest residence in Vienna, marked the end of an era and the beginning of one of the greatest musical enigmas.

2. Timeline of Events: The Rapid Descent into the Inexplicable

• End of September 1791: Mozart begins work on The Magic Flute.
• Early October 1791: Mozart's health begins to show signs of deterioration.
• End of November 1791: Mozart's condition worsens drastically. Reports describe high fever, pain, and swelling.
• December 4, 1791: Mozart's state is considered critical. It is believed he had moments of lucidity, dictating passages of the Requiem to his pupil, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.
• December 5, 1791: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart passes away at his home in Vienna. The death certificate, issued by a doctor based on third-party information, describes the cause as "hitziges Frieselfieber" (severe miliary fever), a generic term for a febrile illness with rashes.
• December 6, 1791: Mozart's burial takes place in a common grave, a standard procedure for people with few resources at the time, without detailed funeral ceremonies or a marked tomb.

3. The Main Theories: A Mosaic of Hypotheses

Over the centuries, various theories have attempted to shed light on Mozart's death, ranging from plausible medical explanations to darker speculations.

Medical and Scientific Hypotheses

• Infectious Diseases: This is the most widely accepted explanation among medical historians.
  • Acute Rheumatic Fever: A bacterial infection (Streptococcus) that can cause fever, joint pain, swelling, and, in severe cases, cardiac complications. The generalized swelling and high fever described in reports fit this hypothesis.
  • Scarlet Fever: Another bacterial disease that can present with fever, sore throat, and characteristic skin rashes. It can lead to serious complications.
  • Typhoid Fever: Caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, it causes high fever, abdominal pain, and sometimes delirium.
  • Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: A complication of streptococcal infections that affects the kidneys, leading to swelling and renal dysfunction.
  • Mercury Poisoning: At the time, mercury was used in some medical treatments. Chronic or acute poisoning could explain some symptoms, but usually with more prominent neurological signs.

Alternative and Conspiracy Theories

• Poisoning by Salieri: The most popular and dramatic theory suggests that rival composer Antonio Salieri poisoned Mozart out of jealousy for his genius. This hypothesis, although perpetuated by fiction (notably in the play and film Amadeus), lacks any concrete evidence.
  • Logic of the Theory: It is based on the professional rivalry and envy Salieri might have felt toward Mozart. However, the lack of proof and the testimonies of contemporaries who did not point to Salieri as a suspect significantly weaken this line of thought.
• Poisoning by Secret Agents or Freemasons: Other theories suggest poisoning orchestrated by unknown enemies, perhaps linked to political conflicts or within the Freemasonry itself, of which Mozart was a member.
  • Logic of the Theory: Mozart was known for his critical positions and involvement in secret societies. This theory posits that he might have discovered something dangerous or challenged established powers.
• Autoimmune or Rare Disease: The complexity of the symptoms could indicate a less common medical condition or a combination of diseases.

4. Controversies and Blind Spots: Gaps in the Investigation

The lack of a detailed medical record and the generic nature of the death certificate are the main blind spots of the case. The common practice of burials in common graves, without individual identification, prevents any possibility of a subsequent post-mortem examination.

• Vague Death Certificate: The description "hitziges Frieselfieber" is imprecise and could refer to various conditions.
• Absence of Autopsy: At the time, autopsies were not routine procedures, especially for sudden deaths without formal suspicion of a crime.
• Contradictory Reports: Witness testimonies about Mozart's final days, while valuable, are often fragmented and based on memories, subject to interpretation.
• The Requiem Enigma: The belief that Mozart was poisoned is partially fueled by the story that he was composing the Requiem when he learned he was dying, and that it had been "commissioned" by a mysterious figure (who later turned out to be an emissary of Count Franz von Walsegg, who wanted to plagiarize the work). This narrative, while dramatic, is not proof of poisoning.

5. Curiosities and Legacy: A Mystery That Does Not Die

The case of Mozart's death continues to fascinate the public and inspire research. The aura of mystery contributes to the mystique surrounding his figure, transforming him into a cultural icon whose works have transcended time.

• Cultural Impact: Mozart's death generated legends and speculations that fueled art, literature, and cinema, keeping the enigma alive.
• Current Status: The case remains officially "closed" in the sense that there is no ongoing criminal investigation. However, academic debate and attempts to reinterpret medical and historical evidence continue.
• The Treasure of the Requiem: The completion of the Requiem by Süssmayr and other pupils of Mozart is, in itself, an intriguing chapter, with discussions about authorship and fidelity to the master's original vision.
• Common Grave Controversy: Although it seems disrespectful today, burial in a common grave was a social and economic norm in 18th-century Vienna. The belief that Mozart's body was exhumed and lost in the process of transfer to a more dignified tomb is a popular myth without historical foundation.

The legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is, without a doubt, his music. But the mystery of his death adds a layer of human intrigue to his divine genius. While science and history seek definitive answers, the enigma of the composer's death continues to resonate, a melancholic sound amidst the most beautiful of symphonies.