Act 1, Part 4 Summary

The scene changes to the Austrian Imperial Palace, where the Emperor excitedly awaits Mozart's arrival. Salieri tells him he's composed "a little march in Mozart's honor," and asks permission to play it when Mozart comes in. The Emperor happily agrees, and sends Von Strack to bring Mozart in at once. While he's waiting, the Emperor wonders about the possibility of having a competition: "Mozart against some other virtuoso."

When Mozart appears, Salieri plays his March of Welcome, and Mozart greets the Emperor with an extravagant bow and excessive hand kissing. Embarrassed, the Emperor tells him to get up, recalling that the last time he and Mozart met, Mozart was six years old and also on the floor. Mozart giggles (he has a unique, almost irritating laugh), and to cover his embarrassment, the Emperor introduces him to Von Strack, Van Swieten, Rosenberg...