St. George’s Lodge No. 15 in St. Catharines, Ontario is proud to share insights into some of history’s most remarkable Freemasons—men whose legacy still inspires the Craft today. Among them, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s most celebrated composers, stands out for his deep ties to Freemasonry and the Enlightenment.
Mozart’s Early Life and Genius
Born in 1756 in Salzburg, then part of the Holy Roman Empire, Mozart was a child prodigy whose musical talent was unmatched. By adulthood, he had mastered all three major opera forms of his time:
Opera Seria (serious opera)
Opera Buffa (comic opera)
Singspiel (a mix of spoken dialogue and music)
Today, Mozart’s birthplace is a museum, visited by thousands each year, a testament to his enduring influence.
Mozart and the Masonic Brotherhood
Mozart became a Freemason in 1784, joining the lodge Zur Wohltätigkeit (Beneficence) in Vienna. His connection to the Craft came through Enlightenment thinker Ignaz von Born, a prominent member of the Viennese lodge. Von Born introduced Mozart to Masonic philosophy and ideals, which would deeply influence his later work—especially his final opera, The Magic Flute.
Although many are surprised to learn it, Freemasonry ran in Mozart’s family. While not confirmed that his father Leopold was a Mason, Mozart’s great-great-grandfather, David Mozart, was a master operative mason in Augsburg. That lineage may explain Mozart’s lifelong fascination with architecture and symbolism—concepts echoed throughout Masonic teachings.
The Magic Flute: Freemasonry in Opera
The Magic Flute, composed in 1791, is widely considered Mozart’s Masonic masterpiece. It is full of Masonic allegory, numerology, and Enlightenment philosophy.
The opera is written in E-flat major, a key with three flats—symbolizing the three degrees of Freemasonry.
It opens with three bold chords, representing the three pillars of Masonry, the volume of the sacred law, the square and the compasses.
Themes of light vs. darkness, ignorance vs. wisdom, and initiation through trials mirror the path of the Mason seeking truth.
The characters themselves embody Masonic virtues. The three ladies, three spirits, and three trials all reinforce the symbolic importance of the number three in our fraternity.
Here’s a short translated excerpt from the opera that highlights its philosophical message:
“Bright sun, the herald of the morning, will soon arise in the sky. Hypocrisy will vanish, and wisdom be enthroned on high. Darkness shall be brightened, and human hearts enlightened.”
Mozart and the Enlightenment
Mozart was more than a musician—he was a true student of the Age of Enlightenment, embracing ideals like reason, individual liberty, and freedom from dogma. He admired Emperor Joseph II, who supported religious tolerance and reduced the power of the Church—values that aligned with Masonic principles.
As a Mason, Mozart found a brotherhood that transcended class and background. The lodge was a place where men met “on the level,” bonded by shared values of charity, truth, and equality.
Legacy of a Masonic Master
Mozart passed to the Grand Lodge Above in 1791, the same year The Magic Flute premiered. He died while working on his Requiem in D Minor, which was completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Conspiracies around his death abound, but one thing remains clear: his legacy as a Masonic composer and Enlightenment icon is unmatched.
“The taste of death is upon my lips… I feel something that is not of this earth.” – Mozart’s final words
Why This Matters to Freemasons Today
At St. George’s Lodge #15 in St. Catharines, we honour Brothers like Mozart whose lives and works reflect the timeless principles of our Craft. Whether through music, architecture, or philosophy, Freemasonry has always supported the pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and truth.
We invite all Brothers and seekers of light to reflect on Mozart’s contributions—not just to music, but to the Masonic legacy of enlightenment and fraternity.
Adapted for the site by an original piece by Brother John Smit – 2025