Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was perhaps the greatest musical prodigy in history, composing his first pieces at age five. During his short 35-year life, he produced over 600 works, spanning every major genre of his time, including symphonies, operas, and chamber music. His 1786 opera 'The Marriage of Figaro' is considered one of the greatest musical comedies ever written. Mozart’s music is characterized by its clarity, balance, and effortless melodic beauty, yet it often contains deep emotional complexity. Despite his fame, he struggled financially for much of his life and was buried in an unmarked common grave in Vienna. His 'Requiem,' which he was composing on his deathbed, remains one of the most powerful and moving works in the choral repertoire. Mozart’s influence on subsequent composers, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky, is immeasurable.