140.

Munich, Jan. 18, 1780.

Pray forgive a short letter, for I must go this very moment, ten o’clock (in the forenoon of course), to the rehearsal.  There is to be a recitative rehearsal for the first time to-day in the theatre.  I could not write before, having been so incessantly occupied with those confounded dances.  Laus Deo, I have got rid of them at last, but only of what was most pressing.  The rehearsal of the third act went off admirably.  It was considered very superior to the second act.  The poetry is, however, thought far too long, and of course the music likewise, (which I always said it was.) On this account the aria of Idamante, “No la morte io non pavento” is to be omitted, which was, indeed, always out of place there; those who have heard it with the music deplore this.  Raaff’s last air, too, is still more regretted, but we must make a virtue of necessity.  The prediction of the oracle is still far too long, so I have shortened it; but Varesco need know nothing of this, because it will all be printed just as he wrote it.  Madame von Robinig will bring with her the payment both for him and Schachtner.  Herr Geschwender declined taking any money with him.  In the meantime say to Varesco in my name, that he will not get a farthing from Count Seeau beyond the contract, for all the alterations were made for me and not for the Count, and he ought to be obliged to me into the bargain, as they were indispensable for his own reputation.  There is a good deal that might still be altered; and I can tell him that he would not have come off so well with any other composer as with me.  I have spared no trouble in defending him.

The stove is out of the question, for it costs too much.  I will have another bed put up in the room that adjoins the alcove, and we must manage the best way we can.  Do not forget to bring my little watch with you.  We shall probably make an excursion to Augsburg, where we could have the little silly thing regulated.  I wish you also to bring Schachtner’s operetta.  There are people who frequent Cannabich’s house, who might as well hear a thing of the kind.  I must be off to the rehearsal.  Adieu!

The father and sister arrived on the 25th of January, and the first performance of the opera took place a few days afterwards; then the family amused themselves for some little time with the gayeties of the Carnival.  The Archbishop had gone to Vienna; and, desiring to appear in the Imperial city in the full splendor of a spiritual prince, he had taken with him, in addition to fine furniture and a large household, some of his most distinguished musicians.  On this account, therefore, Mozart, in the middle of March, also received the command to go to Vienna.  He set off immediately.

End of Vol.  I.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. [LETTERS LISTED BY DATE]

First part
Italy Vienna Munich
1770-1776