Money
Mozart had money issues, and these issues are emphasized in Shaffer's play. But how much was a florin worth? And how broke was Mozart really?
Silver Florin from Austria-Hungary, depicting Joseph I.
It seems that the 1786 florin could buy roughly as much as $20 in 2015. Mozart was said to make around 3,000-4,000 florins per year. This many florins is worth roughly $54,300.00 - $72,500.00 in 2015.
Mozart, then, was solidly middle class. And this sum doesn't take into account the extra florin's Mozart was making from teaching and commissions. Mozart made a decent amount of money, but he spent it wildly. He and Contanze lived in an expensive home and spent lavishly. Mozart bought a piano that cost 900 florins ($18k).
Mozart, then, was solidly middle class. And this sum doesn't take into account the extra florin's Mozart was making from teaching and commissions. Mozart made a decent amount of money, but he spent it wildly. He and Contanze lived in an expensive home and spent lavishly. Mozart bought a piano that cost 900 florins ($18k).
