YES, indeed! I also wish that from my heart. [Footnote: In the mother's
letter, she had written, "May God grant us the blessing of peace'" for
there was much talk about the invasion of Bavaria by the Prussians and
Austrians, on account of the succession.] You have already learned my
true desire from my last letter. It is really high time that we should
think of mamma's journey home, for though we have had various rehearsals
of the opera, still its being performed is by no means certain, and if
it is not given, we shall probably leave this on the 15th of February.
When that time arrives, (after receiving your advice on the subject,)
I mean to follow the opinions and habits of my fellow-travellers, and,
like them, order a suit of black clothes, reserving the laced suit for
Germany, as it is no longer the fashion in Paris. In the first place,
it is an economy, (which is my chief object in my Paris journey,) and,
secondly, it wears well and suits both country and town. You can go
anywhere with a black coat. To-day the tailor brought Herr Wendling his
suit. The clothes I think of taking with me are my puce-brown spagnolet
coat, and the two waistcoats.
Now for something else. Herr Wieland, after meeting me twice, seems
quite enchanted with me. The last time, after every sort of eulogium, he
said, "It is really fortunate for me having met you here," and pressed
my hand. To-day "Rosamunde" has been rehearsed in the theatre; it is
well enough, but nothing more, for if it were positively bad it could
not be performed, I suppose,--just as some people cannot sleep without
lying in a bed! But there is no rule without an exception, and I have
seen an instance of this; so good night! Now for something more to the
purpose. I know for certain that the Emperor intends to establish
a German opera in Vienna, and is eagerly looking out for a young
Capellmeister who understands the German language, and has genius, and
is capable of bringing something new into the world. Benda at Gotha has
applied, but Schweitzer is determined to succeed. I think it would be
just the thing for me, but well paid of course. If the Emperor gives
me 1000 gulden, I will write a German opera for him, and if he does not
choose to give me a permanent engagement, it is all the same to me. Pray
write to every kind friend you can think of in Vienna, that I am capable
of doing credit to the Emperor. If he will do nothing else, he may at
least try me with an opera, and as to what may occur hereafter I care
not. Adieu! I hope you will put the thing in train at once, or some one
may forestall me.
90.
Mannheim, Jan. 17, 1778.
NEXT Wednesday I am going for some days to Kirchheim-Boland, the
residence of the Princess of Orange. I have heard so much praise of her
here, that at last I have resolved to go. A Dutch officer, a particular
friend of mine, [M. de la Pottrie,] was much upbraided by her for
not bringing me with him when he went to offer his new-year's
congratulations. I expect to receive at least eight louis-d'or, for as
she has a passionate admiration of singing, I have had four arias copied
out for her. I will also present her with a symphony, for she has a very
nice orchestra and gives a concert every day. Besides, the copying of
the airs will not cost me much, for a M. Weber who is going there with
me has copied them. He has a daughter who sings admirably, and has
a lovely pure voice; she is only fifteen. [Footnote: Aloysia, second
daughter of the prompter and theatrical copyist, Weber, a brother
of Carl Maria von Weber's father.] She fails in nothing but in stage
action; were it not for that, she might be the prima donna of any
theatre. Her father is a downright honest German who brings up his
children well, for which very reason the girl is persecuted here. He has
six children,--five girls and a son. He and his wife and children have
been obliged to live for the last fourteen years on an income of
200 florins, but as he has always done his duty well, and has lately
provided a very accomplished singer for the Elector, he has now actually
400 florins. My aria for De' Amicis she sings to perfection with all its
tremendous passages: she is to sing it at Kirchheim-Boland.
Now for another subject. Last Wednesday there was a great feast in our
house, [at Hofkammerrath Serrarius's,] to which I was also invited.
There were fifteen guests, and the young lady of the house [Pierron, the
"House Nymph"] was to play in the evening the concerto I had taught her
at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. The Herr Kammerrath and Herr Vogler
called on me. Herr Vogler seems quite determined to become acquainted
with me, as he often importuned me to go to see him, but he has overcome
his pride and paid me the first visit. Besides, people tell me that he
is now very different, being no longer so much admired; for at first
he was made quite an idol of here. We went up-stairs together, when by
degrees the guests assembled, and there was no end to talking. After
dinner, Vogler sent for two pianos of his, which were tuned alike,
and also his wearisome engraved sonatas. I had to play them, while he
accompanied me on the other piano. At his urgent request I sent for my
sonatas also. N. B.--Before dinner he had scrambled through my sonata at
sight, (the Litzau one which the young lady of the house plays.) He
took the first part prestissimo--the Andante allegro--and the Rondo more
prestissimo still. He played great part of the bass very differently
from the way in which it is written, inventing at times quite another
harmony and melody. It is impossible to do otherwise in playing at such
a pace, for the eyes cannot see the notes, nor the hands get hold of
them. What merit is there in this? The listeners (I mean those worthy of
the name) can only say that they have SEEN music and piano-playing. All
this makes them hear, and think, and feel as little--as he does. You may
easily believe that this was beyond all endurance, because I could not
venture to say to him MUCH TOO QUICK! besides, it is far easier to play
a thing quickly than slowly; some notes may then be dropped without
being observed. But is this genuine music? In rapid playing the right
and left hands may be changed, and no one either see or hear it; but is
this good? and in what does the art of reading prima vista consist? In
this--to play the piece in the time in which it ought to be played, and
to express all the notes and apoggiaturas, &c., with proper taste and
feeling as written, so that it should give the impression of being
composed by the person who plays it. His fingering also is miserable;
his left thumb is just like that of the late Adlgasser, all the runs
downwards with the right hand he makes with the first finger and thumb!
91.
Mannheim, Feb. 2 1778.
I COULD no delay writing to you till the usual Saturday arrived, because
it was so long since I had the pleasure of conversing with you by
means of my pen. The first thing I mean to write about is how my worthy
friends and I got on at Kirchheim-Boland. It was simply a holiday
excursion, and nothing more. On Friday morning at eight o'clock we
drove away from here, after I had breakfasted with Herr Weber. We had
a capital covered coach which held four; at four o'clock we arrived at
Kirchheim-Boland. We immediately sent a list of our names to the palace.
Next morning early, Herr Concertmeister Rothfischer called on us. He had
been already described to me at Mannheim as a most honorable man, and
such I find him to be. In the evening we went to court, (this was on
Saturday,) where Madlle. Weber sang three airs. I say nothing of her
singing, but it is indeed admirable. I wrote to you lately with regard
to her merits; but I cannot finish this letter without writing further
about her, as I have only recently known her well, so now first discover
her great powers. We dined afterwards at the officers' table. Next day
we went some distance to church, for the Catholic one is rather far
away. This was on Sunday. In the forenoon we dined again with the
officers. In the evening there was no music, because it was Sunday. Thus
they have music only 300 times during the year. In the evening we might
have supped at court, but we preferred being all together at the inn.
We would gladly have made them a present also of the dinners at the
officers' table, for we were never so pleased as when by ourselves;
but economy rather entered our thoughts, since we were obliged to pay
heavily enough at the inn.
The following day, Monday, we had music again, and also on Tuesday and
Wednesday. Madlle. Weber sang in all thirteen times, and played twice on
the piano, for she plays by no means badly. What surprises me most is,
that she reads music so well. Only think of her playing my difficult
sonatas at sight, SLOWLY, but without missing a single note. I give you
my honor I would rather hear my sonatas played by her than by Vogler. I
played twelve times, and once, by desire, on the organ of the Lutheran
church. I presented the Princess with four symphonies, and received only
seven louis-d'or in silver, and our poor dear Madlle. Weber only five.
This I certainly did not anticipate! I never expected great things,
but at all events I hoped that each of us would at least receive eight
louis-d'or. Basta! We were not, however, losers, for I have a profit
of forty-two florins, and the inexpressible pleasure of becoming better
acquainted with worthy upright Christian people, and good Catholics, I
regret much not having known them long ago.
The 4th.--Now comes something urgent, about which I request an answer.
Mamma and I have discussed the matter, and we agree that we do not like
the sort of life the Wendlings lead. Wendling is a very honorable and
kind man, but unhappily devoid of all religion, and the whole family
are the same. I say enough when I tell you that his daughter was a most
disreputable character. Ramm is a good fellow, but a libertine. I
know myself, and I have such a sense of religion that I shall never do
anything which I would not do before the whole world; but I am alarmed
even at the very thoughts of being in the society of people, during my
journey, whose mode of thinking is so entirely different from mine
(and from that of all good people). But of course they must do as they
please. I have no heart to travel with them, nor could I enjoy one
pleasant hour, nor know what to talk about; for, in short, I have no
great confidence in them. Friends who have no religion cannot be long
our friends. I have already given them a hint of this by saying that
during my absence three letters had arrived, of which I could for the
present divulge nothing further than that it was unlikely I should be
able to go with them to Paris, but that perhaps I might come later, or
possibly go elsewhere; so they must not depend on me. I shall be able to
finish my music now quite at my ease for De Jean, who is to give me 200
florins for it. I can remain here as long as I please, and neither board
nor lodging cost me anything. In the meantime Herr Weber will endeavor
to make various engagements for concerts with me, and then we shall
travel together. If I am with him, it is just as if I were with
you. This is the reason that I like him so much; except in personal
appearance, he resembles you in all respects, and has exactly your
character and mode of thinking. If my mother were not, as you know, too
COMFORTABLY LAZY to write, she would say precisely what I do. I must
confess that I much enjoyed my excursion with them. We were pleased
and merry; I heard a man converse just like you; I had no occasion to
trouble myself about anything; what was torn I found repaired. In short,
I was treated like a prince. I am so attached to this oppressed family
that my greatest wish is to make them happy, and perhaps I may be able
to do so. My advice is that they should go to Italy, so I am all anxiety
for you to write to our good friend Lugiati [impresario], and the sooner
the better, to inquire what are the highest terms given to a prima donna
in Verona--the more the better, for it is always easy to accept lower
terms. Perhaps it would be possible to obtain the Ascensa in Venice. I
will be answerable with my life for her singing, and her doing credit to
my recommendation. She has, even during this short period, derived much
profit from me, and how much further progress she will have made by that
time! I have no fears either with regard to her acting. If this plan be
realized, M. Weber, his two daughters, and I, will have the happiness
of visiting my dear papa and dear sister for a fortnight, on our way
through Salzburg. My sister will find a friend and companion in Madlle.
Weber, for, like my sister in Salzburg, she enjoys the best reputation
here, owing to the careful way in which she has been brought up; the
father resembles you, and the whole family that of Mozart. They have
indeed detractors, as with us, but when it comes to the point they must
confess the truth; and truth lasts longest. I should be glad to go with
them to Salzburg, that you might hear her. My air that De' Amicis used
to sing, and the bravura aria "Parto m' affretto," and "Dalla sponda
tenebrosa," she sings splendidly. Pray do all you can to insure our
going to Italy together. You know my greatest desire is--to write
operas.
I will gladly write an opera for Verona for thirty zecchini, solely that
Madlle. Weber may acquire fame by it; for, if I do not, I fear she may
be sacrificed. Before then I hope to make so much money by visiting
different places that I shall be no loser. I think we shall go to
Switzerland, perhaps also to Holland; pray write to me soon about this.
Should we stay long anywhere, the eldest daughter [Josepha, afterwards
Madaine Hofer, for whom the part of the Queen of the Night in the
"Flauto magico" was written] would be of the greatest use to us; for we
could have our own menage, as she understands cooking.
Send me an answer soon, I beg. Don't forget my wish to write an opera; I
envy every person who writes one; I could almost weep from vexation when
I hear or see an aria. But Italian, not German--seria, not buffa! I have
now written you all that is in my heart; my mother is satisfied with my
plan.