The year 1768 marked a period of significant activity in the transition from the late Baroque to the emerging Classical style, particularly in Central Europe. Major composers like Haydn and a young Mozart were active, producing important works and facing both success and challenges in the vibrant European musical centers.
Events
- Vienna: The 12-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent much of the year in Vienna, working on his first opera buffa, La finta semplice. Despite being commissioned by Emperor Joseph II, its premiere was delayed until 1769 due to intrigue and opposition from other composers and impresarios.
- Esterháza: Joseph Haydn, Kapellmeister to Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, continued to produce a steady stream of works for the Esterházy court, including operas and symphonies.
- London: Johann Christian Bach remained a prominent figure in London, influencing English musical life with his operas and concert series.
New Compositions
- Joseph Haydn:
- Symphony No. 49 in F minor, "La Passione" (Hob.I:49), a Sturm und Drang work.
- Symphony No. 50 in C major (Hob.I:50).
- Opera: Lo speziale (The Apothecary), premiered at Eszterháza.
- Concertos for cello (Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob.VIIb:2, though sometimes dated to 1783, it might have been earlier).
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
- Opera: La finta semplice (K. 51/46a), completed but not premiered until 1769.
- Singspiel: Bastien und Bastienne (K. 50/46b), likely premiered privately in Vienna.
- Symphony No. 8 in D major (K. 48).
- Antonio Salieri:
- Opera: Le donne letterate (The Literary Women), premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna, marking his first opera for a public stage.
- Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach:
- Likely continuing work on keyboard sonatas and chamber music. While specific major works are not always firmly dated to 1768, his output was prolific.
- Luigi Boccherini:
- Active in Madrid, composing numerous string quintets and other chamber works.
Opera
- Joseph Haydn's Lo speziale premiered at Eszterháza, showcasing his talent for opera buffa.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's La finta semplice was completed, demonstrating his early operatic aptitude, though its public reception was delayed.
- Antonio Salieri made his public operatic debut with Le donne letterate.
Births
- July 2: Louis-Antoine Jadin, French composer and violinist (d. 1853)
- October 26: Christiane Sophie Hedwig Kuhlmann, German pianist and composer (d. 1845)
Deaths
- February 18: Francesco Maria Veracini, Italian violinist and composer (b. 1690)
- March 10: Antoine Dard, French bassoonist and composer (b. c. 1715)
- June 25: Giovanni Battista Costanzi, Italian composer (b. 1704)
- November 21: Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin, French flautist (b. c. 1690)
- December 31: Louis-Antoine Dornel, French composer (b. 1680s)