To discover how Vienna became the center of music culture in the 18th century, it is necessary to know a little bit about the Holy Roman Empire (HRE).
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, barbarian tribes settled in different parts of Europe and fought each other for control of land and resources. In the 8th century, the Kingdom of the Franks emerged as the dominant political entity.
 |
| CHARLEMAGNE |
Under the reign of King Charlemagne, most of the lands in Western Europe were united into what became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne was crowned Emperor in 800 by Pope Leo III.
The unification of Western Europe under one Emperor was an effort to revive the Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne's family held the title of Emperor until a series of civil wars divided the empire.
 |
| OTTO I |
The title of Emperor was revived in 962 when Otto I was crowned, thus beginning the continuous existence of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) until it's dissolution by Napoleon in 1806.
 |
| FREDERICK III |
In 1440, Frederick III was crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor. He was from the Austrian House of Habsburg which would occupy the Holy Roman Emperorship almost continuously until 1806.
Under the Austrian Habsburgs, the capital of the HRE was the city of Vienna. During the 18th Century, the population of Vienna grew to 200,000 people and attracted a large number of musicians and composers. The effects of the Enlightenment created opportunities for composers to freelance in addition to accepting commissions from an aristocracy that patronized the arts. The result was a golden age for music in Vienna.
 |
| VIENNA IN 1758 |
The Holy Roman Emperor during the late 18th Century was Joseph II. During his 49 year reign, Joseph II instituted many reforms to favor the common people and improve their quality of life.
 |
| EMPEROR JOSEPH II |
Although his reign was not without its problems, Joseph II is generally remembered as a champion of Enlightenment values and an avid patron of the arts.
Having employed and supported composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, Joseph II created the conditions by which a large amount of quality Art Music was composed and performed.
 |
| THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE IN 1789 |
