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).