This work investigates the structural and dramatic evolution of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's operatic compositions through a rigorous critical analysis of his major scores. Edward J. Dent, a distinguished musicologist and professor at Cambridge, utilizes his extensive knowledge of 18th-century musical conventions to evaluate how Mozart transformed the operatic form. The book argues that Mozart's genius lies in his ability to synthesize complex character psychology with innovative musical architecture, moving beyond the rigid tropes of his contemporaries.

Experts and music historians regard this text as a foundational study that established the standard for modern Mozart scholarship. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a high level of musical literacy from the audience.