Carpe Diem Essay - 659 Words

The Latin phrase carpe diem can be translated into English as seize the day. Seizing the day means making the most out of ones life. It is a theme that is commonly found in literature, most notably, poetry. Poetry, like most of literature, goes through periods of change. In the seventeenth century, poetry began to move away from humanism and began to explore the everyday mans thoughts and feelings. Robert Herrick and Andrew Marvell were two poets who wrote during this time of change. Their poems To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time and To His Coy Mistress, are examples of the use of the carpe diem theme in poetry. In To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time, the poet uses images to convey a feeling of urgency, that one†¦show more content†¦He states: Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may, go marry; For having lost but once your prime, You may forever tarry. (813) Herrick explicitly states for the young women to use their time wisely: to seize the day. In To His Coy Mistress, Andrew Marvell addresses his mistress on the topic of coyness. Marvell believes there is not enough time in life to be demure, he feels one must seize every opportunity he or she has when it appears. The poets images in the poem also relay a sense of urgency, that time is quickly passing. According to Jules Brody of ELH, Two elements in the stanza announce its connection with the carpe diem tradition: the fugitivity of Time (`winged chariot hurrying) and its invidious rapacity (`worms shall try, `turn to dust). (61) The narrator of the poem claims to hear/ Times winged chariot hurrying near (827). He fears that the time he and his mistress have on Earth is not long and they must, therefore, make the most out of everyday they have together. He further illustrates this point when he discusses death. The narrator states his mistress will turn to dust,/ And into ashes all my lust./ The graves a fine and private place,/ But none, I think, do there embrace ( 827). Once she has died, there will be no more opportunities for them to express their love for each other. Marvell portrays life if time were no issue to convinceShow MoreRelatedCarpe Diem879 Words   |  4 PagesWadsworth Longfellow, conveys, through a persona, a matured perspective of Carpe Diem. Both poets communicate their individual opinion, Longfellow’s 19th century poem discusses the importance of creating a legacy and leaving an impact on time, whereas Herrick’s 17th century cavalier style poem implies the significance of retaining the prime years of your life, and portrays the brevity of the life cycle. These main aspects of Carpe Diem are expressed through various visual and auditory features to manifestRead MoreCarpe Diem Essay887 Words   |  4 PagesCarpe Diem We live day to day working, paying bills, and not noticing what is truly out there in the world. We get caught up in drama with co-workers, friends, family and random people that we meet in our day to day activities. We stress over little things that shouldn’’t even be stressed over, because what’’s going to change from the time you’’re stressing from the next day to the next? The problem won’’t go away or get better or worse either way. So why stress? Life is too short to not enjoyRead MoreRobert Herrick and Marvell on Carpe Diem803 Words   |  3 Pages1: Herrick/Marvell Carpe Diem, â€Å"seize the day†, is a literary theme that urges living and loving in the present moment since life and earthy pleasure cannot last. George Harrison of the Beatles said, â€Å"It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We gain experience from the past, but we can not relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.† Two great writers, Robert HerrickRead MoreCarpe Diem Poetry Essay626 Words   |  3 Pagesrare is death, which means that beauty fades. The beauty that they (the rose and the girl) share That are so sweet and wondrous fair! only lasts for small a part of time. This entire poem talk about how beauty fades with time. Thus, like any carpe diem poetry, one is urged to cherish time. In this case, beauty is associated with time and the narrator believes that both should be cherished with the same intensity. There is a tone of urgency to find physical love, as the narrator only addressesRead MoreTo His Coy Mistress: An Interesting Use of Carpe Diem870 Words   |  3 Pagesliterature was prominent, a common theme arose to which many scholars refer to as carpe diem or â€Å"seize the day†. It was a process of writing in which the author justifies the deed of taking action before time runs out or before it is too late. The following will survey a poem that embody the political, and religious convictions the rebellious people living in 17th century Brittan were experiencing. Marvell employs his carpe diem motif within a specific historical and religious context, and he draws uponRead More To His Coy Mistress Essay: The Carpe Diem Motif833 Wor ds   |  4 Pages The Carpe Diem Motif in To His Coy Mistress nbsp; Seize the day. For cavalier poets, there seemed to be little else they found nearly as interesting write about than the carpe diem concept. The form of carpe diem poetry is generally consistent, almost to the point of being predictable. Though Andrew Marvell worked with the same concepts, his modifications to them were well-considered. In To His Coy Mistress, Marvell makes use of allusion, metaphor, and grand imagery in order to conveyRead More The Theme of Carpe Diem in Francis Macomber and Capital Of The World1086 Words   |  5 Pages The Theme of Carpe Diem in Francis Macomber and Capital Of The Worldnbsp;nbsp; The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber and The Capital Of The Worldnbsp;nbsp; nbsp;A lot of Hemingway’s stories deal with life and death. Death even found it’s way into some of the titles we have read so far. However, in discussing death, we first have to look at life or rather how a life was lived, to truly understand what death meant in the particular instance. Both short stories, The Short Happy Life ofRead More The Theme of Carpe Diem in Robert Herricks To the Virgins to Make Much of Time887 Words   |  4 PagesThe Theme of Carpe Diem in Robert Herricks To the Virgins to Make Much of Time Robert Herricks poem, To the Virgins to Make Much of Time, focuses on the idea of carpe diem. More specifically, in this poem the idea of marriage while love and flesh are still young should be heeded or one may suffer in their later years alone and loveless. Herrick suggests that this gift of virginity might be a great waste if not given while it is still desirable. Virginity is a gift for the simple reasonRead More Theme of Carpe Diem in A Fine, a Private Place by Ackerman and To His Coy Mistress by Marvell866 Words   |  4 Pages The words carpe diem mean â€Å"seize the day† in Latin. It is a theme that has been used throughout the history of literature and has been a popular philosophy in teaching from the times of Socrates and Plato up to the modern English classroom. Carpe diem says to us that life isn’t something we have forever, and every passing moment is another opportunity to make the most out of the few precious years that we have left. In the poems †Å"A Fine, a Private Place† by Diane Ackerman and â€Å"To His Coy Mistress†Read MoreCarpe Diem Poem876 Words   |  4 Pages Carpe diem is Latin for â€Å"seize the day† and can be translated into â€Å" YOLO† or â€Å" you only live once† in modern day society. â€Å"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love† written by Christopher Marlowe conveys this message the best compared to the other mentioned Carpe diem poems due to its tone, syntax and symbolism. However, the Carpe diem poem â€Å"To The Virgins, To Make Much of Time† written by Andrew Marvell appears to be least persuasive out of the other Carpe diem poem due to its hasty tone, figurative

Forever 21 Free Essays

string(52) " believe that they can no longer do for themselves\." Forever 21: Dealing with America’s Fear of Aging and Death Abstract It is estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that there will be 71 million U. S. adults over the aged of 65 by 2030 (CDC, 2011, May 11). We will write a custom essay sample on Forever 21 or any similar topic only for you Order Now It can be certain, as was with their predecessors, that the geriatric journey for these adults will be filled with multiple anti-aging face creams and miracle hair growth products as they reluctantly cross over to the last stage of their lives. As shown not only through our media and social interactions’ growing old is not the popular choice. Ironically, the reality is that aging and dying is just as significant as our first breath. It is a journey made by everyone and everything though it is fought with a resistance that cannot be denied. The basis of this paper will discuss the preconceptions and barriers, whether psychological or societal, that is linked with aging, and steadfast approaches that can be used to cope with the aging process and the reality that death is eminent. Keywords: ageism, aging, death, coping, geriatric, fear, quality of life Forever 21: Dealing with America’s Fear of Aging and Death A study performed by the National Consumer’s League reported that approximately 90 million Americans purchase anti-aging products or have surgical procedures performed to ward off the visible signs of aging each year (Nelson, 2005). As the baby boomer generation moves into their senior years, they may not be prepared for the psychological challenges that their predecessors experienced before them (Daniel, 1994). As Todd Nelson describes in his article, Ageism: Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self, the old are treated as â€Å"second-class citizens with nothing to offer society† (Nelson, 2005, p. 209). A research model concluded that older persons in the United States were perceived as â€Å"warm, but incompetent† (Nelson, 2005, p. 215). Research suggests that the stereotyping of the older population is much more severe than originally thought, making it necessary for further research to find ways to reduce the disdain towards aging (Nelson, 2005). The negative attitude associated with aging has not always been this way. Historically, older individuals were once revered, and admired as they were considered wise and experienced. They were the historians of the past, teaching the customs and values to the new, emerging generations (Nelson, 2005). The degeneration towards the old occurred by way of technology through the invention of the printing press which allowed duplication of stories in mass distribution, making the elder’s status less significant. Another factor was the industrial revolution as progress dictated where families lived. This new mobility requirement did not settle well with the less adaptive and older generation, breaking apart the traditional family structure in order to secure employment elsewhere. Growing companies needed strength and adaptability during that time so the younger generation excelled professionally whereas experienced, older applicants were less valued. The advancements in medicine also extended a person’s life expectancy, prolonging the caregiver’s responsibility to its elder (Nelson, 2005). In Todd Nelson’s article, Ageism: Prejudice against Our Feared Future self, he discusses the social prejudices associated with aging, and the subtle ways those prejudices are conveyed. His primary focus is our aging population of baby boomers, and how they will be affected by being stereotyped in ways that are patronizing and degrading (Nelson, 2005). In an effort to thwart such negative attitudes, Jere Daniel, the author of Learning to Love Growing Old, describes a â€Å"vanguard† movement that is committed to changing the way aging is perceived. These individuals have evoked the term, â€Å"conscious aging† which promotes awareness and acceptance of the aging process as we move through each stage of life. The supporters of this movement confer that aging is not a curable disease, and it cannot be solved by spending billions of dollars on preventing its process or its end (Daniel, 1994). Another supporter of changing the way aging is conveyed is author, Margaret Cruiksbank, of the book, Learning to be Old. In her book she is a proponent of changing the way the aging process is described. Her position is that the underlying meaning of popular terms to describe aging weakens its value. She denotes that the term â€Å"successful aging† is a false phrase for the elderly as it â€Å"masks both the wish to continue mid-life indefinitely and the white, Middle-class, Western values of researchers, causing them to emphasize productivity, effectiveness and independence† (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 2). She also concludes that the term â€Å"productive† aging symbolizes â€Å"economic usefulness and social conformity† (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 2), especially for the female gender. More importantly, these terms can be used to measure. This ability to measure is subjective to the questioner and an individual’s self-worth. She suggests the term â€Å"aging comfortably† as it signifies easiness, and a â€Å"faint hint† of pleasurable self-indulgence which may not have been possible in younger years (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 3). There has been decades of research examining what it referred to as â€Å"automatic categorization† (Nelson, 2005. p. 207). Researchers describe this as an essential trait in humans that is a primal response to physical characteristics, such as race, gender, and age, that automatically prompts emotional responses and prejudices. This type of categorization sets the foundation for stereotyping (Nelson, 2005). The aging community is faced with an array of negative stereotypes that affects their independence as well as their self-perception. Many times the negativity is hidden, almost overlooked as it in an unconscious gesture unbeknownst to either participant. Nelson discusses the use of patronizing language as a form of negative socialization. He states that researchers define its usage as â€Å"overaccomodation and baby talk† (Nelson, 2005, p. 209). This type of language is based on the stereotype that individuals suffer from hearing loss to a limited or degenerate intellect as a result of growing old (Nelson, 2005). Another form of stereotyping that has a debilitating effect on the aging adult’s self-esteem is a term called â€Å"infantilization† (Nelson, 2005, p. 210). This is described as a process that occurs over time as the aging adult relinquishes their independence, eventually leaving them to believe that they can no longer do for themselves. You read "Forever 21" in category "Essay examples" The aging adult is victim in believing that they are â€Å"old†, and subsequently begins to assume behaviorisms that depict old age such as moving and thinking more slowly. Researchers have found that this is prevalent in elders that have been over accommodated. The end result is that it not only affects the elder person but burdens their caretaker as well (Nelson, 2005). Another prejudice that is common is segregation of the old (Cruiksbank, 2009). Cruiksbank notes that even people over sixty five have a disdain for their peers, saying â€Å"they do not want to be around all those people† which may be their way of unconsciously avoiding their own mortality (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 10). She states that distancing themselves may be a way they preserve their autonomy. Cruiksbank sees this as a form of denial, and also counterproductive as she eels solidarity needs to be exemplified by the old especially in this time of their lives. Gereontological research has also found other common patterns among the elderly and their peers. In another attempt to demonstrate independence, the elderly tend to generalize geriatric health issues. They segregate themselves by expressing how fortunate they are not to be suffering the same doomed fate (Cruiksb ank, 2009). All forms of media reinforce negative stereotypes associated with aging (Daniel, 1994). By as early as six years old, negative stereotypes have already formed about aging. These stereotypes continue throughout our lives, and are subconsciously accepted without question. Daniel concludes that society has no role models that favor growing old. A nursing home ad with a dialogue that emulates the aging parent as a problem or burden further acerbates the stigma. Culture and media are designed to postpone the evitable as it is geared towards staying young, and delivers that message from fashion to health (Daniel, 1994). The result of these stereotypes is that as we age, impending doom invades the individual’s thoughts. In an effort to conform to culture’s idea of individualism, the aging population perpetually seeks an elusive youth, thereby denying their mind and bodies the right to age (Daniel, 1994). It is not surprising then as the body begins to breakdown, that the aging person feels embarrassed and insignificant (Cruikshank, 2009). There is an ongoing movement to re-adjust society’s perception of what it means to age (Daniel, 1994). In an effort to shift the mindset of America’s aging, non-institutionalized studies have been done in American communities to determine the intellectual and cognitive effects of their aging population. The results concluded that â€Å"physical and mental decline is not evitable† Daniel, 1994). As the aging population grasps at their â€Å"desire to have meaning† in their lives, more attention needs to be focused on the positive influences that can enhance their daily existence. These influences include a positive attitude along with making healthy choices for themselves such as food, physical activity and recreation (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). One way to improve the aging process is to be proactive in developing a healthy lifestyle that includes good eating habits and physical activity. Research has concluded that the mind is a powerful tool in creating reality so protecting one’s health can be a precept to a fighting off future ailments (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). The choice to give back to the community creates a meaningful and positive response in many ways. The benefit of socially connecting in a structured atmosphere lends opportunity to share not only wisdom but to develop new relationships that otherwise would not have occurred (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). Studies have concluded that people who remain active have a clearer sense of who they are and what value they hold in society as well as their community (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). For every beginning, there must be an end. There is term called vertical axis which describes the mind-body experience when an infant first enters the world. It is believed that prior to a person’s birth, the mind and body are not aware of each other but as soon as they arrive, both are encapsulated by â€Å"sensation and emotion† as the two entities meet for the first time (Carvalho, 2008, p. 4). With the help of a mother’s touch, their union becomes a â€Å"seamless ensemble† (Carvalho, 2008, p. 4). The two live together, as one, for many years. It is not until the last stage of life, do they find themselves encapsulated by â€Å"sensation and emotion† again as now they have grown apart, separated as the aging body or mind is no longer able to oblige the other. They spend the rest of their days laboring until they can agree to leave together, in death. Fear of aging can ignite or dim the remainder of a person’s life. There is an array of products, books, and doctors promising new ways to reinvent the old self. In America, we are driven by the desire to stay young and because of this truth; the aging person experiences certain prejudices. Though, despite the adversity, aging can be a catalyst to many wonderful and positive experiences that could only happen because one is old. One outdated novelty, wisdom, is just waiting to be reinvented by today’s aging population, and it would nice to see it be born again. * * * * * * * References Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, May 11). Cdc. Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/aging. tm Jere Daniel. (September 1, 1994). Psychology Today. In Learning to Love Growing Old. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www. psychologytoday. com/articles/199409/learning-love-growing-old. Cruikshank, M. (2009). Learning to be old, gender, culture, and aging. Rowman Littlefield Pub Inc. Kerschner, H. , Pegues, J. A. M. (1998). Productive aging: a quality of life agenda. Journal of the American Diete tic Association, 98(12), 1445. Retrieved October 1, 2012 from http://go. galegroup. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu:2048/ps/i. do? id=GALE%7CA53479831v=2. u=vic_libertyit=rp=AONEsw=w Nelson, T. D. (2005), Ageism: Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self. Journal of Social Issues, 61:  207–221. doi:  10. 1111/j. 1540-4560. 2005. 00402. x Retrieved October 1, 2012 from http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1540-4560. 2005. 00402. x/full Carvalho, R. (2008), The final challenge: ageing, dying, individuation. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 53:  1–18. doi:  10. 1111/j. 1468-5922. 2007. 00699. x Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu:2048/doi/10. 1111/j. 1468-5922. 2007. 00699. x/abstract How to cite Forever 21, Essay examples

Research Your Favorite Instrument on the Web free essay sample

he purpose of this assignment is to develop critical thinking in your approach to researching your instrument of choice on the web. You may choose from any of the instruments mentioned in the course. For this assignment you are asked to SUMMARIZE or CRITIQUE the various features of each of the ten web sites NOT to simply copy and paste information directly from each site into your submission. Please dont just list a lot of historical or biographical information. You should describe each of the ten sites and discuss the various interactive and web features of each one. You can think of this assignment as if you were writing a review or critique of the 10 different sites. Here are some things for you to consider as you summarize each of the ten sites: Why did you choose the site and what features distinguish it from others? Are there audio links or interesting links to other sites? How is the site organized? What were the topics covered in the site? Are there interactive media links that demonstrate various features of the instrument? What did you learn from your research? Im not particularly interested in seeing how cleverly you can rewrite historical information or how well you can paraphrase an entry from a Wikipedia composer biography. Hopefully, your research will go well beyond typing in keywords in the Wikipedia search engine! B. Process Decide which instrument you are going to research. The choice of an instrument should be made in order to allow the most time for research. Do research on the selected instrument: Research two (2) sites in each of the five categories in (A) above. Submit the 10 sites you have come up with in your research, along with a paragraph for each category summarizing their features and why you chose them. Written Work: History and/or Manufacturers: Information about well-known makers and the instruments history. If you choose the voice, you can obviously skip the manufacturers, and concentrate on the history. 1, Steinway Piano,madin in Steinway amp; Sons Website: http://www. steinway. com History: Steinway amp; Sons, also known as Steinway , is an American and German manufacturer of handmade pianos, and subcontracted pianos from suppliers sold under secondary names. Steinway was founded 1853 in Manhattan in New York City by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later Henry E. Steinway). The companys growth led to the opening of a factory and company town in what is now the Astoria section of Queens in New York City and a factory in Hamburg, Germany. Steinway is a prominent piano company,known for making pianos of high quality and for its influential inventions within the area of piano development. The company holds a royal warrant by appointment to Queen Elizabeth II. Steinway pianos have been recognized with numerous awards. One of the first official recognitions was a gold medal won in 1855 at the American Institute Fair at the New York Crystal Palace just two years after the companys foundation. In 1855–62 Steinway pianos received 35 gold medals. Several awards and recognitions have followed, including 3 medals at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Steinway has been granted 126 patents in piano making; the first patent was achieved in 1857. Most of the patents have expired. Other than the expensive Steinway amp; Sons piano brand, Steinway markets two less expensive brands: Boston for the mid-level market and Essex for the entry-level market. The Boston and Essex pianos are made using low-cost components and labor and are produced in Asia by other piano manufacturers. And now, Steinway is dedicated to the ideal of making the finest pianos in the world. The result is instruments renowned for their unsurpassed quality. Pianos with such superior sound and responsive touch that they enchant the most demanding pianists. 2, Stradivari violin, made in Antonio Stradivari Website: http://www. gabrielenatali. it History: Antonio Stradivari (1644 – 18 December 1737) was an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant and greatest artisan in this field. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, Strad, is often used to refer to his instruments. It is estimated that he made 1,000 to 1,100 instruments and that around 650 of these instruments have survived including 450 to 512 violins. Stradivaris instruments are regarded as amongst the finest bowed stringed instruments ever created, are highly prized, and are still played by professionals today. Only one other maker, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, commands a similar respect among violinists. However, neither blind listening tests nor acoustic analysis have ever demonstrated that Stradivarius instruments are better than other high-quality instruments or even reliably distinguishable from them. Fashions in music, as in other things, have changed over the centuries, and the supremacy of Stradivaris and Guarneris instruments is accepted only today. In the past, instruments by Nicolo Amati and Jacob Stainer were preferred for their subtle sweetness of tone. While the usual label for a Stradivarius instrument, whether genuine or false, uses the traditional Latin inscription, after the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, copies were also inscribed with the country of origin. Since thousands of instruments are based on Stradivaris models and bear the same name as his models, many unwary people are deceived into purchasing forged Stradivarius instruments, which can be avoided by having an instrument authenticated. Many violinists and cellists use Stradivari instruments in their work. Yo-Yo Ma currently uses the Davidov Stradivarius,Julian Lloyd Webber employs the Barjansky Stradivarius. Famous Performers: This one is quite self-evident. You are not restricted to any particular period or style. For example, if you favorite instrument is guitar, you can choose Eric Clapton and John Williams. Famous Piano Performer: Lang Lang Website: http://www. langlang. com. cn In this website,I got that Lang Lang is a Chinese concert pianist, I from China too! LOL! And currently residing in New York, who has performed with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States and his native China. He is increasingly well known around the world for his concert performances, television appearances, albums and soundtracks. Lang has done much to encourage children and young musicians to take an interest in classical music, especially through the international foundation he launched in New York in 2008. He is really a great person! I heard that he had play the piano at 5am,he also said when he was a boy, I didnt spend so much time with her, so now I really like her with me. My mum stayed at home for years, working, so now its time for her to see the world. I was touched! So I like LangLangs website,like piano than before! Famous Violinist Performer: Yehudi Menuhin Wensite: http://www. menuhin. org From this website,I known that Yehudi Menuhin was an American violinist and conductor who spent most of his performing career in the United Kingdom. He is often considered to be one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. Also,Yehudi Menuhin was born in New York City, United States, to Jewish parents from what is now Belarus. His sisters were the concert pianist and human rights worker Hephzibah Menuhin and the pianist, painter, and poet Yaltah Menuhin. Through his father Moshe Menuhin, a former rabbinical student and anti-Zionist writer, Menuhin was descended from a distinguished rabbinical dynasty. Menuhin began violin instruction at age four under violinist Sigmund Anker; his parents had wanted Louis Persinger to be his teacher, but Persinger refused. In 1929 he played in Berlin, under Bruno Walters baton, three concerti by Bach, Brahms and Beethoven. In 1932 e recorded Edward Elgars Violin Concerto in B minor for HMV in London, with the composer himself conducting, and between 1934 and 1936 he made the first integral recording of Johann Sebastian Bachs Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. So he is my fav Violinist Performer! Famous composers: Another self-evident one. Again, you are not restricted to any particular period or style. One example from the class is the Leonard Bernstein site at the Libra ry of Congress. Did Bernstein, for example, write any pieces for your favorite instrument? Famous Piano Composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Website: http://www. classicfm. com/composers/mozart/music/ From this website, I learned Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not only one of the greatest composers of the Classical period, but one of the greatest of all time. Surprisingly, he is not identified with radical formal or harmonic innovations, or with the profound kind of symbolism heard in some of Bachs works. Mozarts best music has a natural flow and irresistible charm, and can express humor, joy or sorrow with both conviction and mastery. His operas, especially his later efforts, are brilliant examples of high art, as are many of his piano concertos and later symphonies. Even his lesser compositions and juvenile works feature much attractive and often masterful music. Mozart was the last of seven children, of whom five did not survive early childhood. By the age of three he was playing the clavichord, and at four he began writing short compositions. Young Wolfgang gave his first public performance at the age of five at Salzburg University, and in January, 1762, he performed on harpsichord for the Elector of Bavaria. There are many astonishing accounts of the young Mozarts precocity and genius. At the age of seven, for instance, he picked up a violin at a musical gathering and sight-read the second part of a work with complete accuracy, despite his never having had a violin lesson. In the years 1763 1766, Mozart, along with his father Leopold, a composer and musician, and sister Nannerl, also a musically talented child, toured London, Paris, and other parts of Europe, giving many successful concerts and performing before royalty. The Mozart family returned to Salzburg in November 1766. The following year young Wolfgang composed his first opera, Apollo et Hyacinthus. Keyboard concertos and other major works were also coming from his pen now. In 1769, Mozart was appointed Konzertmeister at the Salzburg Court by the Archbishop. Beginning that same year, the Mozarts made three tours of Italy, where the young composer studied Italian opera and produced two successful efforts, Mitridate and Lucio Silla. In 1773, Mozart was back in Austria, where he spent most of the next few years composing. He wrote all his violin concertos between 1774 and 1777, as well as Masses, symphonies, and chamber works. In 1780, Mozart wrote his opera Idomeneo, which became a sensation in Munich. After a conflict with the Archbishop, Mozart left his Konzertmeister post and settled in Vienna. He received a number of commissions now and took on a well-paying but unimportant Court post. In 1782 Mozart married Constanze Weber and took her to Salzburg the following year to introduce her to his family. 1782 was also the year that saw his opera Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail staged with great success. In 1784, Mozart joined the Freemasons, apparently embracing the teachings of that group. He would later write music for certain Masonic lodges. In the early- and mid-1780s, Mozart composed many sonatas and quartets, and often appeared as soloist in the fifteen piano concertos he wrote during this period. Many of his commissions were for operas now, and Mozart met them with a string of masterpieces. Le nozze di Figaro came 1786, Don Giovanni in 1787, Cosi fan tutte in 1790 and Die Zauberflote in 1791. Mozart made a number of trips in his last years, and while his health had been fragile in previous times, he displayed no serious condition or illness until he developed a fever of unknown origin near the end of 1791.