I write only for writing's sake. It is indeed very inconvenient, because
I have a severe cold. Say to Fraulein W. von Molk that I rejoice at the
thoughts of Salzburg, in the hope that I may again receive the same
kind of present for the minuets which was bestowed on me at a similar
concert. She knows all about it.
36.
Milan, Sept. 21, 1771.
I AM well, God be praised! I can't write much. 1st, I have nothing to
say. 2d, my fingers ache from writing. I often whistle an air, but no
one responds. Only two arias of the Serenata are still wanting, and
then it will be finished. I have no longer any fancy for Salzburg; I am
afraid I might go mad too. [He had heard that several persons there had
lost their reason.]
37.
Milan, Oct. 5, 1771.
I AM in good health, but always sleepy. Papa has snatched from my pen
all that I had to write about, which is, that he has already written
everything. Signora Gabrielli is here, and we are soon going to see her,
as we wish to become acquainted with all distinguished singers.
38.
Milan, Oct. 26, 1771.
MY work being now completed, I have more time to write, but have nothing
to say, as papa has written you all I could have said. I am well, thank
God! but have no news, except that in the lottery the numbers 35, 59,
60, 61, and 62 have turned up prizes, so if we had selected these we
should have won; but as we did not put in at all we neither won nor
lost, but only laughed at those who did the latter. The two arias
encored in the Serenata were those of Manzuoli, and Girelli, the prima
donna, I hope you may be well amused in Triebenbach with shooting, and
(weather permitting) with walking.
39.
Milan, Nov. 2, 1771.
Papa says that Herr Kerschbaumer travels with profit and observation,
and we can testify that he conducts himself very judiciously; at all
events he can give a more satisfactory account of his journey than some
of his friends, one of whom said that he could not see Paris properly
because the houses there were too high. To-day Hasse's opera is to be
given; as papa, however, is not going, I can't go either. [FOOTNOTE:
Hasse had also a festal opera to compose, but Leopold Mozart writes, "I
am sorry to say that Wolfgang's Serenata has totally eclipsed Hasse's
opera."] Fortunately I know all the airs thoroughly by heart, so I can
see and hear them in my own thoughts at home.
40.
Milan, Nov. 24, 1771.