Music in the Olomouc Archdiocese

decorated with wrought brass. The instrument was produced between 1820-1830 by an unknown Viennese master for the Archbishop of Olomouc and Archduke of Austria, Rudolf Jan who was a talented pianist and composer. He had the right background and excellent training for music. His teacher was Ludwig van Beethoven and the Archbishop was forever after a lifelong supporter and patron of his master. Also, the famous composer composed the Missa Solemnis in D major in 1819 for the ceremonial induction of Archbishop Rudolf Jan to office. It was eventually performed in public five years later in Vienna. The Missa Solemnis has also been performed in Olomouc - symbolically at the ceremonial opening of the Archdiocesan Museum in June 2006.

Beethoven is not the only famous composer connected with this place. In 1767, the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his family lived here. They found asylum in Olomouc when escaping from the smallpox epidemic.

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From the Mozarteum, we continue through the stucco corridor to the chapel of St. Barbara.