Haydn's life spanned from the end of the Baroque period to Napoleon's invasion of Vienna. He was one of the most prolific composers ever, including more than 100 symphonies, 64 quartets, 16 extant operas, 51 piano sonatas and two oratorios. His seemingly light-hearted, placid temperament embraced the troubles and tribulations of life with casual humour and irony. Though blessed by an encouraging patron, running his own orchestra and opera company for some 30 years, he was exposed to the usual upstairs-downstairs antics of an aristocratic household and follies of an artistic world.

Haydn's life spanned from the end of the Baroque period to Napoleon's invasion of Vienna. He was one of the most prolific composers ever, including more than 100 symphonies, 64 quartets, 16 extant operas, 51 piano sonatas and two oratorios. His seemingly light-hearted, placid temperament embraced the troubles and tribulations of life with casual humour and irony. Though blessed by an encouraging patron, running his own orchestra and opera company for some 30 years, he was exposed to the usual upstairs-downstairs antics of an aristocratic household and follies of an artistic world.