Leopold Mozart claims that, just as he made his son Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart a musical genius, he can teach anyone to be a musician. He casts a spell and transforms four parents into a chamber quartet. Masterpieces of the chamber repertoire are interspersed throughout Leopold’s lessons, as he helps the audience hear inside Mozart’s music—from chases and dances and knocking on the door, to the headaches of trying to get notes to express certain feelings. The interactive performance illustrates how everyone can play a role in music—whether as a musician, a composer, a teacher or a listener.

Chicago Chamber Musicians
Founded in 1986, the Chicago Chamber Musicians is Chicago’s leading chamber music institution, devoted to the study and performance of chamber music. Visit CCM’s website to learn more about Leaping Leopold and their additional programming.

Bruce Adolphe
Get to know composer, educator and performer Bruce Adolphe, the creator of Leaping Leopold. You can also listen to his 37-year-old parrot, Polly Rhythm as he sings along with the Queen of the Night's aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute.

San Francisco Orchestra for Kids
Visit this amazing interactive site to explore and create music in the Music Lab.

Nashville Symphony Orchestra for Kids
Start by investigating the instruments of the orchestra, then visit a concert hall and meet some Nashville Symphony Orchestra musicians.

The Mozart Project
A comprehensive site on the life, times and music of Mozart.

Mozart’s Magical Musical Life
A storybook version of the life of Mozart, this charming click-and-play biography includes sounds and audio clips of Mozart’s music.

The Essentials of Music
The general music site includes a comprehensive glossary of musical terms, descriptions and definitions of musical eras, and brief critical biographies of major composers.

Bruce Adolphe (Composer) is well known to Chicago families through Witches, Wizards, Spells and Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare—a co-commission of CCM and CST (performed at Chicago Shakespeare in 2003 and 2007); the Grammy-nominated Little Red Riding Hood (performed at Chicago Shakespeare in 2006); and Tyrannosaurus Sue: A Cretaceous Concerto—a co-commission of CCM and the Field Museum for the unveiling of Sue in 2000. He is Director of Family Concerts for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and his works for young people have been performed by over 70 orchestras and ensembles.

Leaping Leopold! Slide Show 
The Chicago Chamber Musicians have performed with Chicago Shakespeare Theater for the past seven years, doing interactive family programing similar to Leaping Leopold! The Mozart Show. Every year, families are invited to join the artists before and after the show for a chance to see and hear them play in a closer setting.