The last month of the year 1791 witnessed what Robbins Landon calls "the greatest tragedy in the history of music" - the premature death of the 35-year-old Mozart. The event was surrounded by enigma and intrigue, allegations of poisoning and sexual scandal. Drawing on his knowledge of the sources, Professor Landon seeks to cut through the fantasy to present the facts and to reconstruct the story of the last year of Mozart's life. The composition of such works as the "Requiem", "The Magic Flute" and "La Clemenza di Tito" is discussed in detail, and light is thrown on Mozart's relations with the freemasons, with Salieri, Sussmayr and others.