Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791). Die Maurerfreude. Eine Kantate gesungen am 24. April 785 zu Ehren des H.w. Br:. B..n von den B. B. der Loge zur G. H. im O....t von Wien. Die Worte von Br:. P..n. Die Musik von Br:. W. A. M****t. Herausgegeben zum Besten der Armen ([Wien, Artaria, 1785]; cotage 69); oblong in-4, [1 f. de titre]-28 p., antique marbled paper boards with ms title label glued to upper board. Extremely rare first edition of the orchestral score of this Masonic cantata [KV471]. G. Haberkamp (Die Erstdrücke der Werke von Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, p. 235) lists only 5 copies. This cantata for tenor and chorus with small ensemble is, along with The Magic Flute, one of the pinnacles of Masonic music. It was composed, to lyrics by Franz Petran, for a banquet given by the Lodge of Crowned Hope (Gekrönten Hoffnung) to celebrate the dignity bestowed by Joseph II on the mineralogist and philosopher Ignaz von Born (1742-1791). It was performed under Mozart's direction on April 24, 1785. The music (starting on page 2) is preceded by a text on the circumstances of this Masonic feast, and in praise of Joseph II, recently initiated to the rank of Master. The handsome engraved title (designed by Ignaz Unterberger and engraved by Sebastian Mansfeld) has been cut flush with the frame and mounted on a strong paper cover. Engraved text and music. A fine copy.