Did you know Mozart wrote no fewer than 22 operas in his lifetime?
Ranging from La finta semplice (The Feigned Simpleton), a light, playful tale of mistaken identities, flirtation, and scheming written when Mozart was just 12, to the dark, supernatural drama of Don Giovanni, Mozart traversed whole worlds in his opera.
Mozart’s operas endure because they combine exquisite music with deep human insight. His characters are emotionally rich and timeless, blending comedy, drama, and pathos effortlessly. The music serves the drama perfectly, enhancing every moment. Whether noble or common, flawed or virtuous, Mozart’s people feel real — and that emotional truth continues to move audiences centuries later.
We've ranked Mozart's best nine greatest operas below. Enjoy.
Best Mozart operas: for curious and hardcore fans
11. Mitridate, re di Ponto (1770)
Mitridate, re di Ponto is a remarkable early opera seria composed by Mozart at just 14. Despite his youth, the work displays impressive maturity, with virtuosic arias and dramatic intensity. Based on a tragic Roman tale, it showcases Mozart’s flair for character and emotion, hinting at the genius he would later fully realize in his mature operas.
10. Il re pastore (1775)
Il re pastore (The Shepherd King) is a light, elegant opera composed by Mozart at 19. Blending pastoral charm with royal duty, it tells of a shepherd discovering his noble destiny. Though not dramatically complex, its arias are graceful and expressive, particularly the famous “L’amerò, sarò costante.” It reflects Mozart’s growing mastery of melody and character.
9. Lucio Silla (1772)
Lucio Silla, composed when Mozart was just 16, is a dramatic opera seria filled with political intrigue, love, and redemption. Centered on the Roman dictator Silla’s transformation, it features virtuosic vocal writing and emotional intensity. Though early in Mozart’s career, the opera reveals his budding genius for character development and expressive orchestration, foreshadowing his later dramatic works.
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8. La finta giardiniera (1775)
La finta giardiniera is a delightful opera buffa composed by Mozart at 18, blending romance, disguise, and comic confusion. The story revolves around a noblewoman posing as a gardener to win back her lover.
Full of mistaken identities and tangled affections, it showcases Mozart’s gift for ensemble writing and character interplay. While lighter in tone, it hints at the emotional depth and musical brilliance that would define his later operatic masterpieces.
7. Die Entführung aus dem Serail (1782)
Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) is a vibrant singspiel blending exotic flair, comedy, and heartfelt emotion. Premiered in 1782, it tells the story of a rescue from a Turkish palace, featuring daring heroes, spirited heroines, and a surprisingly humane villain.
With sparkling arias and elaborate vocal fireworks, it marked Mozart’s breakthrough in German opera, showcasing his flair for drama, character, and musical storytelling within a lighter, accessible framework.
6. La Clemenza di Tito (1791)
Commissioned for Leopold II's 1791 coronation, La Clemenza di Tito is a two-act opera seria set in Imperial Rome. It tells the story of Emperor Titus, portrayed as a humanist, offering forgiveness despite betrayal and murder plots around him.
Unlike previous versions, Mozart’s interpretation highlights Titus’s mercy and virtue. The opera was intended to serve as an example of leadership for Leopold II and was Mozart’s first opera to reach London.
Best Mozart operas: near the top
5. Idomeneo (1781)
Premiering in 1781, Idomeneo is innovative in its use of ensembles like duets, trios, and quartets, adding dramatic depth to its opera seria structure.
Based on an Ancient Greek myth, it tells the story of war hero Idomeneo, who must sacrifice his son, Idamante, to appease the gods. His refusal leads to widespread suffering. Ultimately, Idamante’s bravery is rewarded. Mozart’s thirteenth opera showcases his refined compositional style and deepening dramatic insight.
4. Così fan tutte (1790)
Così fan tutte, Mozart and Da Ponte's final collaboration, stands out for its witty, intricate plot. Set in Vienna, it explores themes of love and fidelity, with a title meaning "they're all like that," often seen as a critique of women but equally reflective of the men’s flaws.
Dashing soldiers Guglielmo and Ferrando test their lovers’ loyalty by disguising themselves. Their plan backfires, hilariously revealing both genders’ vulnerabilities and flaws in a humorous light.
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3. The Magic Flute (1791)
In a mythical land between the sun and the moon, Prince Tamino, is lost.
After being rescued from a monster by three mysterious ladies, he is shown a picture of Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night. He instantly falls in love with Pamina, and vows to rescue her from the evil Sarastro.
The common misconception is that The Magic Flute was a job that Mozart took on unwillingly, due to little work being offered to him at court. However, Mozart had long been a friend of theatre owner Emanuel Schikaneder. Writing an opera to be performed in Schikaneder's theatre, as The Magic Flute was, would have been natural.
Theatre was a huge aspect of Viennese culture, so contributing to this would not have been degrading. No, it was expected from Mozart. And he responded in kind, with what is undoubtedly one of the very best Mozart operas.
Here is the romantic aria in which Tamino expresses his deep admiration and love for Pamina. Lyrical and full of youthful longing, it's a beautiful showcase of Mozart’s mastery of melody and emotional depth.
2. Don Giovanni (1787)
A dark, dramatic opera about a legendary seducer whose reckless pursuit of pleasure leads to his downfall.
Premiered in October 1787, Don Giovanni was commissioned as a result of Figaro’s popularity in Prague. The plot follows the protagonist as he creates a trail of heartbreak and murder. His wicked ways of seduction and violence culminate in his refusal to repent, despite the efforts of the people around him. They are left to decide his fate, and he is eventually sent to hell.
The drama of the plot is thickened by Mozart’s rich and animated score. Interpretations of Don Giovanni still vary amongst audiences today. Some view the opera as highly emotional and tragic, while others perceive it as harmless mischief.
One of Don Giovanni's darkest and most dramatic moments is the 'Commendatore aria', in which the statue of the Commendatore (Commander), whom Don Giovanni has killed earlier in the opera, comes to life. The Commendatore's ghost confronts Don Giovanni, commanding him to repent for his sins. Have a listen to this chilling dark heart of Don Giovanni:
And the best Mozart opera of all is...
1. The Marriage of Figaro (1786)
A masterful comedy of failed seductions, disguises, misunderstandings, and revelations
Mozart's comic masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro follows the complicated and humorous events surrounding the noble Count Almaviva's failed attempts to seduce his servant Figaro’s fiancée, Susanna, while both Figaro and Susanna outwit their masters in a series of disguises, misunderstandings, and revelations, ultimately leading to forgiveness and restored relationships.
Figaro was the first collaboration between Mozart and theatre poet, Lorenzo da Ponte. The story is based on a play by the French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais, first performed in 1784. While the play was a hit in Paris, it was banned in Vienna, due to the troublemaking storyline. The plot sparked controversy due to its suggestions of inciting rebellion against a monarch.
The Marriage of Figaro is often considered Mozart's greatest opera due to its perfect blend of comedy, social commentary, and musical brilliance. The intricate plot, full of misunderstandings, disguises, and clever twists, is matched by an extraordinary score that highlights emotional depth and character complexity.
Mozart masterfully weaves together ensemble pieces, arias, and duets, creating a seamless and vibrant depiction of love, class, and forgiveness, which continues to captivate audiences with its timeless charm.
- The Marriage of Figaro finished strongly in our list of the 20 greatest operas of all time
Top pic: Marie Engle, left, and Kathryn Henry in Mozart's La finta giardiniera by the Juilliard School, November 13, 2017.
All pics: Getty Images