an obscene child
to be his instrument?
It was not to be believed.
This piece had to be an accident.
It had to be.
It better be.
How good is he, this Mozart?
He's remarkable, Majesty. I heard an
extraordinary opera of his last month.
- Idomeneo, King of Crete.
- That?
A tiresome piece. I heard it too.
Tiresome?
A young man trying to impress
beyond his abilities.
Too much spice.
Too many notes.
Majesty
it was the most promising work
I've heard in years.
Then, we should make
some effort to acquire him.
We could use a good German composer
in Vienna, surely?
I'm sure he could be tempted
with the right offer. Say...
an opera in German
for our National Theater.
Excellent, sire!
But not German. I beg, Your Majesty.
Italian is the proper language
for opera.
All educated people agree on that.
What do you think, chamberlain?
In my opinion, it's time
we had a piece in our own language.
Plain German for plain people.
Kapellmeister?
Majesty
I must agree with Herr Direttore.
German is
too brute for singing.
Court composer
what do you think?
I think it's an interesting notion
to keep Mozart in Vienna.
It should infuriate the archbishop
if that is Your Majesty's
intention.
You are cattivo, court composer.
I want to meet this young man.
Arrange a pleasant welcome for him.
Well, there it is!
This is a beautiful wig for you.
It looks so marvelous and I love it.
The other one.
Here is the other one.
I think you will love it.
Here's the third one. So? Here we go.
- How do you like it?
- They're all so beautiful!
Why don't I have three heads?
This is funny!
Three heads!
Gentlemen.
- Good morning.
- Morning, Your Majesty.
What do you have for me today?
- Your Majesty, Herr Mozart.
- Yes, what about him?
He's here.
Well, there it is. Good!
I hope you won't find it improper,
but I've written a march in his honor.
What a charming idea, court composer.
May I see?
Just a
Just a trifle, of course.
May I try it?
Let's have some fun.
Delightful, court composer!
May I play it when he comes in?
- You do me too much honor.
- Bring in Herr Mozart.
But slowly.
I need a minute to practice.
Good, continue.
G, Majesty.
Excellent!
Good, Majesty.
Continue. Very good.
Very good, Majesty.
Tempo! Up.
Lightly, then strongly!
It's a march, Majesty.
Again.
Bravo, Majesty!
Gentlemen, please.
A little less enthusiasm, I beg you.
No, please. It's not a holy relic.
You know, we have met before.
In this very room.
You don't recall. You were only 6.
He was giving a delightful concert!
As he got off the stool, he fell.
My sister Antoinette helped him up.
Know what he did?
He jumped into her arms and said,
"Will you marry me? Yes or no?"
You know all these gentlemen.
The Baron Van Swieten.
- I'm a great admirer of yours.
- Thank you.
Kapellmeister Bonno.
My pleasure.
The Director of Opera,
Count Orsini-Rosenberg.
Sir, yes. The honor is mine,
absolutely!
Here is our illustrious court composer
Maestro Salieri.
At last, such immense joy!
I know your work well.
You know, I composed some variations
on a melody of yours.
- Really? Which one?
- "Mio Caro Adone. "
I'm flattered.
A funny tune,
but it yielded good things.
And now he has returned
the compliment.
Herr Salieri composed
this little march for you.
Really?
Well, there it is.
Down to business. We're going
to commission an opera from you.
What do you say?
Did we vote in the end
for German or Italian?
Sire, if you remember,
we did finally incline to Italian.
Did we?
I don't think it was really decided,
Your Majesty.
- German. Please let it be German.
- Why so?
Because I've already found
the most wonderful libretto.
Have I seen it?
I don't think you have, Herr Direktor.
It's quite new.
- I'll show it to you immediately.
- I think you'd better.
Well
tell us about it.
Tell us the story.
Well, it's quite amusing, Majesty.
It's set--
The whole thing is set in a...
Yes? Where?
In