On the 26th of December "an incomparable performance" of "Lucio Silla"
took place; it was eminently successful, and continued to fill the house
night after night in the most surprising way. The father writes home
regularly, and Wolfgang subjoins the usual postscripts, which, however,
at this time contain nothing worth quoting. We give only part of an
Italian letter which he writes for practice:--
49.
.... Vi prego di dire al Sig. Giovanni Hagenauer da parte mia, che non
dubiti, che andro a veder sicuramente in quella bottega delle armi, se
ci sono quei nomi [?] che lui desidera, e che senza dubbio doppo averlo
trovato le portero meco a Salisburgo. Mi dispiace che il Sig. Leitgeb
e partito tanto tardi da Salisburgo [see No. 46] che non trovera piu in
scena la mia opera e forte non ci trovera nemeno, se non in viaggio.
Hieri sera era la prima prova coi stromenti della seconda opera, ma ho
sentito solamente il primo atto, perche a secondo mene andiedi essendo
gia tardi. In quest' opera saranno sopra il balco 24 cavalli e . . .
mondo di gente, che saro miracolo se non succede qualche disgrazia. La
musica mi piace; se piace al replico non so, perche alle prime prove non
e lecito l' andarci che alle personne che sono del Teatro. Io spero che
domani il mio padre potra uscir di casa. Sta sera fa cativissimo tempo.
La Signora Teyber e adesso a Bologna e il carnevale venturo recitera a
Turino e l'anno sussiquente poi va a cantare a Napoli.
[Footnote: "Pray say from me to Johannes Hagenauer, that he may entirely
rely on my going to the armorer's shop, to see if I can procure what
he desires, and after getting it I will not fail to bring it with me to
Salzburg. I regret that Herr Leitgeb delayed so long leaving Salzburg
[see No. 46], for he will no longer find my opera in scena, nor will he
find us either unless we meet on our travels. Yesterday evening was our
first rehearsal of the second opera with instruments, but I only heard
the first act, for I went away at the second, because it was so very
late. In this opera there are to be twenty-four horses and a crowd of
people on the stage at the same time, so it will be surprising if no
accident happens. The music pleases me; whether it will please others
I cannot tell, for no persons but those belonging to the theatre are
permitted to attend the first rehearsals. I hope that papa will be able
to leave the house to-morrow. The weather is detestable this evening.
Madame Teyber is now at Bologna; she is to act at Turin in the ensuing
Carnival, and the year following she is to sing at Naples."]
After enjoying some more of the amusements of the Carnival, they arrived
again in Salzburg about the middle of March. This place, or rather their
position at court there, was in the highest degree repugnant to both; so
the father, in the course of his travels, applied to the Grand-Duke of
Tuscany for an appointment for his son. As, however, nothing was to
be got in that quarter, he directed his views to the Imperial capital
itself; and thus, at the end of three months, we find him again with
his son in Vienna. From thence Wolfgang often wrote to his loved ones at
home.
50.
Vienna, August 14, 1773.
I HOPE that your Majesty [Footnote 1: O. Jahn remarks that this epithet
is a reminiscence of a fantastic game that often amused the boy on his
journeys. He imagined a kingdom, the inhabitants of which were endowed
with every gift that could make them good and happy.] enjoys the best
state of health; and yet that now and then--or rather sometimes--or,
better still, from time to time--or, still better, qualche volta, as
the Italians say--your Majesty will impart to me some of your grave
and important thoughts (emanating from that most admirable and solid
judgment which, in addition to beauty, your Majesty so eminently
possesses; and thus, although in such tender years, my Queen casts into
the shade not only the generality of men but even the gray-haired).
P. S. This is a most sensible production.
51.
Vienna, August 21, 1773.
When we contemplate the benefit of time, and yet are not entirely
oblivious of the estimation in which we ought to hold the sun, then it
is quite certain, Heaven be praised! that I am quite well. My second
proposition is of a very different character. Instead of sun, let us
put moon, and instead of benefit, science; then any one, gifted with
a certain amount of reasoning powers, will at once draw the conclusion
that--I am a fool because you are my sister. How is Miss Bimbles? [the
dog.] I beg you will convey all sorts of amiable messages from me to
her. I also send my kind remembrances to M. Kreibich [conductor of the
Imperial chamber-music], whom we knew at Presburg and also at Vienna;
and very best regards from Her Majesty the Empress, Frau Fischerin, and
Prince Kaunitz. Oidda!