Disclaimer: I don't own these characters/people. If I did then at the end of Mozart L'Opera Rock Mozart and Salieri would skip off into the sunset together and live happily ever after, but unfortunately I do not. This is all for fun so please don't sue me.
Paring: Mozart/Salieri Warnings/Ratings: This story will be PG to M, M in later chapters. Nothing massively graphic (in my opinion anyway) but there will be intimate situations later on, you have been forewarned. I will be putting rating on each of the chapters so please use your own discretion when reading or skip over the smexin parts if that's not your thing.
Anything written in italics is the person's thoughts and the ... means there is a change in time or place.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1 (Rated PG)
It all started with a simple piece of parchment. A letter of summons arrived from the palace one early May morning to the Salieri household. The letter carrier knocked on the front door and was greeted by the porter who immediately took the sealed envelope to his employer.
Salieri heard a knock on his music room door. He had converted his study into a workplace and music room some time ago so that he could focus on writing his music at home when he was not using the palace facilities. It also created a quiet and homely atmosphere when tutoring his music students. He looked up from the music score he was currently working on at the noise.
"Come in" Salieri called. His employees knew not to come into the music room uninvited. Sometimes Salieri would spend hours working non-stop and his staff understood that he did not like to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary during those periods.
The porter came into the room quickly, handed him the letter, and left without a word. Salieri opened the letter and found it was from the Emperor. The Emperor was requesting his presence at the palace at noon to discuss a commission for Salieri. Surprised at the personal letter, he set it down on his desk and quickly went up to his room to change. One did not show up to the palace in plain clothes. Salieri's curiosity was piqued, despite his success and popularity as a composer and musician in Vienna's high society, he had never received a letter from the Emperor himself. Once dressed in his finer clothes, he called for his coach and left for the palace.
Little did Salieri know he was not the only one to receive such a letter that morning.
...
Mozart awoke abruptly to pounding on his door and the shrill cry of Cacilia Weber. Startled, Mozart got out of bed and quickly grabbed and donned yesterdays trousers and a plain shirt, afraid something was wrong to provoke such a response from the woman so early in the morning. Rushing to the door Mozart quickly opened it only to have Cacilia practically topple him over as she charged into his apartment.
"What is it! Is something wrong, is Constance hurt, her sisters hurt? Is the house on fire?" Mozart asked in a rush.
"No no, none of that silly Mozart. A mail carrier just arrived with a letter for you from the palace, the palace!" Cacilia Weber exclaimed excitedly, waving said letter around in the air. "Looks like you finally made an impression on someone Mozart, how wonderful! Open it, open it" Cacilia thrust the letter at Mozart.
Excited now, Mozart quickly took the letter from Cacilia and read it. "Well, what does it say dear boy, speak up!" Mozart looked up from the parchment to Cacilia's expectant face just as Constance and her sisters entered into his apartment.
"It's a summons, from the Emperor himself. Requesting my presence at the palace at noon to speak of a commission!" Mozart stated in exhilaration. Cacilia and her daughters cried out in excitement. Constance came closer to grab Mozart's arm and pulled him into a hug.
"Oh, congratulations Mozart" she cried "a request straight from the Emperor himself! Your finally getting the recognition you deserve".
Mozart returned her hug almost in a daze. It felt as if the piece of parchment in his hand was the start to having his dreams come true. A commission from the Emperor!
Mozart tried to disentangle himself from all three sisters as they clutched him in excitement "Please ladies, I must get ready and leave for the palace at once"
"Yes yes, of course, girls let go of Mozart. GIRLS!" Dragging her daughters off, Cacilia Weber looked back at Mozart as she passed through his door. "Make sure to wear your finest Mozart, hurry up and get ready, I will hail a coach for you" and with that she slammed the door shut.
Trying not to shout out in excitement, Mozart quickly ran around his apartment getting ready. During his time in Vienna he had completed several commissions for patrons and had cultivated the reputation of being a musical genius. Some of higher society did not approve of his work or his behaviour *cough, Rosenberg, cough* but he was finally making a name for himself and received frequent commissions. But to receive a commission from the Emperor, that was a dream come true and a chance to show Vienna's society what he was really capable of. Once he finished getting dressed he grabbed an apple for breakfast then practically bounced out his door and down the hallway to the main entrance of the house. This is it Mozart thought as he jumped into the waiting coach and shouted his destination, This is my chance!
...
Salieri arrived at the palace half an hour before noon. Knowing he was early he got out of his coach and decided to walk around the palace grounds as he waited for his audience with the Emperor. The gardens were always beautiful this time of year, filled with flowers just starting to bloom, their intoxicating scents hanging in the air. It was still very early for the higher class since parties and gatherings lasted well into the night in Vienna society so the area was practically deserted. Salieri enjoyed the quiet moment and looked around for inspiration for his own gardens at home. His was nothing compared to the palace's, just a few simple lengths of flower patches, trees, and nicely pruned shrubs at the back of his household. He would often sit outside under his bedroom window where white roses entwined around the wooden lattice climbing up the side of his house, offering a beautiful sight and aroma. He would go out to his garden for inspiration when stuck on a composition or simply to find some peace and quiet. His peaceful solitude at the moment however was not to be, for after a short length of time he could hear the footsteps of someone approaching him from behind.
"Salieri!" the person called out in an loud voice. Surprised, Salieri turned around to face the individual only to find it was none other then Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart, the new up and coming musical genius, his talented rival composer. Mozart made his way towards him with enthusiastic strides and soon they were standing but a few feet apart.
"Good morning Mozart" Salieri answered in a cool voice, not really knowing what else to say at this unexpected meeting of his rival and fellow musician.
"Ah yes, good morning to you as well my friend! I was sure it was you I saw walking in the gardens and I was right!" Mozart exclaimed proudly, his whole demeanour radiating excitement.
Salieri blinked at the enthusiastic response. Not really knowing how to respond to that Salieri cleared his throat and, trying to avoid an awkward scene, calmly asked Mozart what he was doing at the palace so early.
Mozart's face seemed to light up with delight. "I was summoned by the Emperor himself. I'm to meet him soon. He wants to commission a piece from me. What about you Salieri, what brings you here to the palace gardens?"
Salieri eyes narrowed slightly at Mozart's statement. They were both here for the same reason? What game was this. Before Salieri could respond a servant from the palace appeared.
"Excuse me sirs, are you Herr Salieri and Herr Mozart?" the young man asked. Both Salieri and Mozart looked over and nodded in unison. "Would you please come with me, the Emperor is ready to see you".
And with that the servant turned around and headed for the palace doors. Mozart and Salieri had no choice but to follow him side by side.
...
"WHAT?"
Mozart could not have stopped the short outburst if his life had depended on it. Mozart stared incredulously at the Emperor, sure that he had heard him wrong. He couldn't possibly be serious! Mozart quickly looked over to Salieri and saw on him a look of shock and confusion that surely mirrored his own face.
"I am commissioning a Sonata from both of you" The Emperor repeated "I want you two to work together on it and it is to be completed for the summer celebration I'm hosting two months from now. Just think about it, it will be magnificent! The work of one of my finest composers Salieri combined with the ingenious work of the fresh new talented Mozart. It's sure to be a masterpiece!" The Emperor exclaimed with a smile and a clap of his hands. He didn't seem to notice the horrified looks on Mozart's and Salieri's faces at the prospect of having to work together.
"Now…surely you two can put aside your differences and work together on this for me, can you not?" The Emperor said in a way that was not so much a question but more like a demand. He gave them a pointed look that did not suggest refusal or complaints. Salieri regained his composure first.
"Of course, Mozart and I would be delighted to work on this piece for you, Your Majesty" Salieri answered with an air of cool acceptance, his face a perfect mask of false calmness as he bowed to the Emperor.
Mozart's head whipped around to stare at Salieri. Like hell! The man must be joking. But then Salieri glanced at him with an expression that told him not to argue or it would be both their heads. Mozart looked back at the Emperor and swallowed.
"Yes of course, we would be honoured to create a Sonata for your celebration Your Majesty" Mozart exclaimed has he moved to bow before the Emperor as well.
"Excellent! I expect a glorious piece from you two. Now off you go, best get started right away!" the Emperor laughed in delight and shooed them off with a wave of his hand.
Mozart and Salieri bowed once again to the prince and turned to leave. They were down the hallway and almost back outside to the palace gardens when Mozart let out a frustrated groan. How were he and Salieri supposed to work together! The man couldn't stand him, and his friends made no attempt to hide the fact that they hated him. This was a disaster, they were rivals for god sakes. How could they possibly complete together a Sonata worthy of the Emperor in two months. Mozart looked over at Salieri who seemed lost in thought. Most likely thinking the exact same thing he was, Mozart mused.
Salieri tried to keep his composure as he felt Mozart look towards him. His mind was still reeling at these unexpected developments. Working together with Mozart…impossible. Salieri acknowledged that Mozart was extremely talented, he would not lie and say otherwise, but that wasn't the point. Just because both he and Mozart were talented musicians in their own right didn't mean they could compose something beautiful together. There was a better chance of them killing one another before that happened. Salieri sighed deeply. It's not like they had a choice, refusing the commission from the Emperor would be like committing social suicide. One did not want to fall from the Emperor's good graces. Stopping in front of two doors exiting the palace, Salieri looked up at Mozart, catching his gaze. They would simply have to find a way to work together.
"Mozart, I know that these conditions are unfavourable to both of us, however we have accepted the commission and we will find a way to work together". Salieri heard Mozart make a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort and chose to ignore it. "We might as well start tomorrow, meet me in the palace music room at noon."
With that said, Salieri walked ahead through the doors, not giving Mozart the chance to argue with him. He could still feel Mozart's gaze on him as he left the palace and made his way towards his coach. What had started out as a promising day seemed to be crashing down around him. Two months of working together side by side with Mozart. Rosenberg was going to loooove this.