Apollo et Hyacinthus, K. 38

Now some would consider this Mozart's first true opera. Where they would say Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots was a sacred work. Semantics. I'm not concerned.  So anyway. Apollo et Hyacinthus plots itself on some Greek Mythology.  Now, I've read that they changed it up a bit in Mozart's day to fit the time's ethics. (As if promoting foreign gods was more scriptural.) I'm not sure how much of this debate the 11-year-old Mozart dabbled in. 

Again, the music is very impressive for such a young man.  I mean, an opera? How many adults can do that? I do remember reading somewhere, that some in the past criticized Mozart's opera. They said he was too young to do 'em. Maybe.  But, in this opera, I think he is beginning to claw into the some good emotional stuff.  Natus cadit atque Deus is the first example a fitting great emotional theme. The death of a child requires a sad song. But, it still has a nice shade of hope. Even at 11, Mozart sipped from the cup of death. Did he draw from his experience to come up with the music from this song? In addition, I know I have heard the music before. Did I hear from another opera? Have I just heard it on the radio? I don't know, it is so familiar. Maybe it is one of those jackpot rhythms he reused. 

I little extra. I watched a youtube clip with some kids playing many of the parts. They had great voices. Did children play the parts when Mozart first had it performed? Was Mozart actually conducting it? Would he have seen the kids as peers, or underlings?