Maria Anna Mozart, the elder sister of Wolfgang Mozart, was a remarkably gifted child prodigy in music, just like her brother. It is a sad fact that despite her exceptional talents, Maria Anna was not allowed to pursue her musical career as an adult due to societal constraints on women at that time.
Although Maria Anna performed extensively during her childhood, her opportunities were limited after her marriage, and her compositions were seldom published or performed. It is estimated that she wrote over 200 pieces of music, but most of them have been lost over time, including the one her younger brother, Wolfgang, admired greatly and called “an exceptional work.”
The lack of recognition and the loss of her music have contributed to Maria Anna Mozart’s relative obscurity in music history. Nevertheless, her story has inspired many modern-day musicians, scholars, and feminist activists who strive to give due credit to women who have been historically marginalized or overlooked in various fields, including music.