Chapter 9

ERIK

This morning I knew, I simply felt something was not good. And after I arrived upstairs from my home, I heard that voice again I hoped I will never hear again: that beautiful, maybe sometimes overworked but with no doubt, overacted voice: Aloysia Weber.

She was the prima Donna of the Vienna Opera House some years ago but thank my little letters and God, she somehow disappeared a few years back. I can't believe she returned.

Fraulein Weber, what a nice sur…- one of the poor managers wanted to greet her however what he got he did not put in his pocket.

Idiot I am married now why don't you see my name at the door of my dressing room? I am Frau Lange! And I have big problems with my dressing room it is too small for me, I want my old one back! Do you understand fathead?

Oh-ho! Let's make the bridal march stop for a minute, Madame! At first you don't fit in your current dressing room cause you are fatter than a whale. A little diet would do you some good, furthermore you want my Catherina's dressing room? It is not the most clever choice of your life. If you continue to talk these nonsense things I will be obliged to make you meet my Punjab lasso.

How could I make this oversized singing bird fly back to warmer place before she harms my dear Catherina? If she does I will hand her head in her hands that's for sure.

I don't even remember when I cut someone's head off, maybe last week?

CATHERINA

I haven't heard of the Angel of Music for weeks. The Angel left me because I did not behave. I was not worthy of his greatness any more and how I cursed myself about it. I made a mistake, he could forgive but he could not forgive when I made the same mistake twice. Oh, it was not even mistake, it was a sin. A very big and unforgivable sin. I kneeled down to my mirror and prayed days after days at the hour he should have arrived to please forgive me once more and I will be worthy of his greatness, and will never deceive him again.

One day when I was crying in front of the mirror again, he came!

Catherina.- he said softly and his voice showed so much grief. I was feeling guilty.

Angel, I did not mean to hurt you I just…

Let's not talk about that, child. I only have a command that you will never see that man again. Never.

Of course, Maestro, as you want…

Good. Mozart is a man who would only deceive you, child, as he deceives any other women. I only ask you to stay away from him for your own good. If you follow me, I will never hurt or deceive you. Just listen to me, child and you will be safe and successful.

I promise, Maestro.

After I had a singing lesson, and I tried to do my best, however the Angel was not content with me that day as I haven't trained my voice in weeks because I was too sad to do so. But all that mattered was the Angel, my Maestro was with me again and he forgave me.

MOZART

I love Hungarian Crown, it is my favorite place to go to hang out a little with my friends and of course beer is first class. So is wine. So, all in all, it is a very good place and I was enjoying myself and the company of the young lady who were so kind to bring us beer when… I noticed someone at the table next to us. He was tall, but I only saw his back, he was wearing all black clothes so I could have sweared to God that he is Destler. I laughed and pointed at him, and whispered in Schickaneder, my best friend's ear:

Look at that guy. He's the old skeleton who recommended me that piglet. They quite match, don't they? But now look! – I jumped up from my seat and ran to him and hit his back as he nearly drowned in his coffee. What a boring guy he drinks coffee. – Hey my pal, I would like to congratulate you that you recommended me the ugliest woman of Earth! Where did you find her?

You are drunk, aren't you?- the man turned to me and I nearly fainted as I saw….

Papa?

You are drunk. – he repeated but now it was not a question any more.

I can explain…

You can explain everything. Where do you live? I went to your address I have known but there they said they haven't seen you in years.

Oh, Papa, we had to move from there because…

Because you were full of loans and you could not pay for the apartment.

No… no it was not the case as…

I ask once more where do you live now? I am tired from the journey and would like to go home please. I don't find arguing with a drunk person any useful. If you sleep it out we may talk.

I was too shocked to say anything, I guided Papa to our apartment. As I opened the door I saw everything was the way we left it… but I knew it will cause Papa to be displeased. I was not wrong.

How practical my son! What is on the floor, can't fall down any more. I see you keep your clothes and… hmmm what these are, wine bottles? So I think they have a very good place on the floor. I don't know why did not I keep them there as well and why your mother tidied everything and why I do still? You opened up my eyes.

Well I have not much time to tidy rooms as you know…

As I know you are too busy because you are drinking too much at taverns, I understand my son of course! But as I think it would not be your job. Where your little love dove is?

Oh, she is too busy with the child and…

Child?

Yes, oh did I not mention you have a grandson?

No, you did not. I don't know why but you forget to send me letters for 3 years now.

Oh… yes… no… I mean.

I know what you mean. Shut your face. How are you doing in financial matters?

Fine! Just fine.

I heard other way.

It's a lie! Who said that?

It is not important. I heard you have troubles. No one wants to lend you money in Vienna already because you are not famous for paying back.

This is not true!

They say you play card games and you lose lots of money.

No. Never.

Never? So my friend, who you know as well, Dr. Barisani. He said he saw you at the Palace Casino not once. So he is telling lies? He saw you with his own eyes. It is not a rumor. That man would never lie to me but it seems you do.

Well… it happened once or twice. But it is not my everyday program Papa…

I don't care. I did not raise you in this manner. When did you see me spending all the family's money on card games?

Papa, I…

Hush it is me talking right? Did not you learn till the age of 29 to shut your face when your father is talking to you? It seems, my son, that you have no respect towards your own father at all. You always do the opposite of what I expect of you. You marry against my will, you stay here against my will and you say you have a child now?

Yes, Papa, his name is Karl.

His mother is the Weber-girl, is she?

Yes she is, Papa but she is a very good wife and….

Good wife. Yes I can see how well she tidies the house. Can she cook at least?

Yes, Papa, she is a magnificent cook, you will see….

Where is she now?

Oh, I think she went to see her mother. You see she is sick and needs help…

With the boy?

Oh, I think so. Well… she had no one to leave the child with and…

Good. I wait her here. Tell the maid to take my luggage to the guestroom. Right?

Oh, there is two problems with it… we have no maid and we have no guestroom but I can offer my Study for you it has a very comfortable couch and…

Couch? Right. And why don't you have maid?

We don't need one.

You don't have money for one it seems instead.

Oh, yes… but we don't need one anyway.

I see.

There was very uncomfortable silence between us for awhile, neither of us could say a word to the other. I knew he was displeased. But the life I'd have lived with his ideas would have killed me. But he, sadly did not care.

I love you, Papa.

Don't be this sensitive again. It is disgusting from a grown- up man. I told you not to be like a mother's favorite little son. You are a grown- up man for God's sake! You have to be strong.

That is what he always wanted. I had to be strong and cruel in my opinion. As he was. Could not he tell me "I love you too"? Was it so hard to tell? Really was it?

Stanze saved us from more uncomfortable silence. She arrived, laughing as she kissed Karl.

Here is mommy's big boy and he was so clever little boy he did not cry right?

Papa did not say anything, he just let me to introduce them to each other. Stanze showed a very friendly smile but Papa did not smile at all. He made a sarcastic remark about the boy looks nothing like me then he went to my study. Stanze asked him if he wanted a little tea but he pretended he did not hear anything.

Catherina

I was happy to hear that the managers wanted me to play the lead in our next opera season1s play, Orpheus and Eurydice from Haydn. Haydn was a known musician and I loved his music, especially his symphonies. The Master was pleased as well and he told me I was at the level I could play it.

One morning I heard a woman was running through the Opera, shouting at the top of her lungs.

Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Everyone knows that I am the lead here! This girl knows nothing! She is deaf! She is a little deaf! She knows nothing, I want my role back!

Who was that, Maestro? – I asked the Angel as he gave me a singing lesson.

Aloysia Lange. Former Prima Donna. Don't give her too much thought, my child. She is already history. – it sounded a bit of threatening and I was a little bit frightened.

What do you mean?

Don't pay attention to her. Really, there is nothing to talk about her, Catherina.

I don't know what, but there was something in his voice I found threatening.

ERIK

I wrote a letter to the managers as I am a gentleman and give them a last chance to send Lange back to Mannheim. I think I was very polite in it. I did not write all of the cursewords came to mind when thinking of Aloysia.

Dear managers,

I was glad to hear your decision that Catherina Cavalieri will sing the lead in Orpheus and Eurydice. I do believe she will do a fantastic job singing it.

I was not this pleased at all when I heard Aloysia Lnge has returned and wants to sing Catherina's role. As I am not a big fan of Aloysia, I would ask you to think once more about the role. Or, to be clear, I suggest you to give it back to Catherina. I would not be in your shoes if you don't consider your answer carefully.

Your obedient servant,

The Opera Ghost.

If this does not work, I have another plan as well.

Catherina is acting weird. I might keep an eye at her if she acts weird it does not mean any good. That young idiot did not show up since they met, I know as I watch Catherina and she did not meet him. She keeps her word but she is a little bit weird, like she was frightened.

The opera already started and the managers did not do what I ordered. There is no problem. I will use my other plan then.

CATHERINA

Everything happened too fast. Aloysia Lange suddenly fainted and vomited during the break of second act. The doctor said might be she was poisoned. I had to sing the rest of the Opera, Aloysia needs to rest for weeks and it is not even sure she will stay alive. I got more frightened about this. The Maestro came to my mind as he said there is nothing to worry about Aloysia as she is history. I felt I am turning pale and my legs can't hold me any more. I collapsed.

When I woke up I was somewhere else, I have never seen this room before. It was an ordinary salon with nice old furniture the only weird thing was there were no windows and mirrors anywhere.

I see you woke up. – a man said above my head. – I got scared but suddenly I recognized his voice.

Maestro?

Yes, it is me, my Catherina. Don't be afraid. You are in no danger.

Where am I?

At my house. I brought you here because I saw the all fuss about Aloysia made you nervous and you need time to rest. You can rest here as you could not in your dressing room or home. They might pester you a lot and it is no good for you now.

I saw him at last as he crossed the room to check my pulse. He was wearing a black mask on his face and this made me a little nervous. Why he covers his face? I wanted to unmask him but he firmly grabbed my wrist and told me

You are in no danger unless you touch my mask. It protects you and me as well.

I looked at him suspiciously and scratched my head. He did not release my other hand till I agreed not to touch the mask. I saw his eyes had a yellowish shade and they glowed in the darkness of the room. I have never seen such effect in human eyes.

He might have noticed that I am a bit afraid of him as he started to sing. I instantly forgot about every problems and closed my eyes. I let his voice caress my ears and soul and slowly fell asleep.