Classical Music Trivia Questions and Answers

Symphonies, concertos, operas and one famously riotous ballet premiere: these classical music questions cover the composers every music lover should know, from the Baroque era to the 20th century. Each answer has a short explanation, so even a wrong guess leaves you knowing a little more about the music.

5 questions · Every answer explained · Fact-checked October 2026

1. 1. Which composer wrote his Ninth Symphony while almost completely deaf?

   • A. Mozart
   • B. Beethoven
   • C. Haydn
   • D. Brahms
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   B. Beethoven — Ludwig van Beethoven composed the Ninth, with its 'Ode to Joy' finale, after losing most of his hearing.

   Did you know? At the 1824 premiere he reportedly had to be turned around to see the audience applauding.

2. 2. Which composer wrote the comic opera The Barber of Seville, first performed in 1816?

   • A. Giuseppe Verdi
   • B. Gioachino Rossini
   • C. Giacomo Puccini
   • D. Gaetano Donizetti
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   B. Gioachino Rossini — Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville premiered in Rome in 1816.

   Did you know? Rossini is said to have composed it in less than three weeks.

3. 3. Which Stravinsky ballet famously caused uproar at its 1913 Paris premiere?

   • A. The Firebird
   • B. Petrushka
   • C. The Rite of Spring
   • D. Swan Lake
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   C. The Rite of Spring — The Rite of Spring's jarring rhythms and choreography provoked a near-riot in the audience.

   Did you know? It's now considered one of the most influential works of the 20th century.

4. 4. How many symphonies did Beethoven complete?

   • A. 7
   • B. 9
   • C. 11
   • D. 41
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   B. 9 — Beethoven completed nine symphonies, ending with the Choral Ninth.

   Did you know? 41 is Mozart's last numbered symphony, the 'Jupiter'.

5. 5. Who composed the violin concertos known as The Four Seasons?

   • A. J. S. Bach
   • B. Handel
   • C. Vivaldi
   • D. Corelli
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   C. Vivaldi — Antonio Vivaldi published The Four Seasons in 1725.

   Did you know? Each concerto came with a sonnet, possibly by Vivaldi himself, describing the scene.