Chapter 10

MOZART

I have no happiness and calm at home. I am here in Hungarian Crown and try to compose as I have to make money. And this new opera I am working on will explode like a bomb! In all Europe, it will be successful. I have to finish it soon; I am done with the second act now. Maybe two weeks and it will be ready to start the rehearsals.
I know this subject is banned but this is what makes a full success! It has a very good subject and it is for us, people at last. Not Greek or Roman gods they are boring as Hell. I have to yawn when I think of it and when I yawn my throat gets dry so

- Hans! One more glass of beer please!
- Of course, I will be right there Herr Mozar!

ERIK

Herr Mozart? Here? I can never get rid of him it seems… where he is? I looked at him and saw he is working on something. It could be that very- very big secret he was talking about. I have to know what that may be. I have to know everything this guy does as he means big risk in every way. Catherina is currently safe, I just did not like the fact she was so very curious about my mask and she is doing this for days now. When I play or sing for her she is happy but anytime we are not involved in musical activities she wants to unmask me and she nearly saw my man-face mask. I know she is not strong enough to see me put this on. I could not have this happen so I gave her some laudanum to make her sleep. Like this, I can compose as well.
Hans, the waiter walked past me but I caught his hand.
- Herr Dest…
- Shut your face. Now when you go to give Mozart his beer you will look upon the sheet music next to him on the table, you will come back to me and tell me what you see on the title page. And you do this totally softly.
- Why would I do this?
- That's why. – I tossed 40 Guldens in his hand.
- You know Herr Destler it is not right to do this…. I don't accept money for services like this. –
He put my money back on the table and wanted to leave but I caught him again. He looked at me a little bit surprised and a bit frightened.
- Then. – I showed him my knife- That's why you will do it.
- Ohhhhh… of course, Mein Herr…
- He went to Mozart's table and while serving him the beer, I could see he was looking at the manuscripts. I always knew this Hans kid was a clever boy. He understands everything for the first hearing. When he returned he slightly bowed his head and whispered to me:
- The Marriage of Figaro.
I tossed him 20 guldens, he accepted it this time, and he left. Look at him, The Marriage of Figaro… he is working on a piece which was banned in whole Austrian Monarchy? He is quite a brave guy but he should have been more careful… someone might tell the court about it before he finishes….

MOZART

- You got a letter.
Papa threw an envelope at me while I was working on the first aria of third act.
- Who sent it?
- The Emperor's seal is in it.
- I got the job! He changed his mind!
I opened the envelop with trembling hands and I was happy. At last my financial problems are solved and…. what the? An audience with the Emperor as he has to talk to me about a very important matter? What it may be?
I was standing in front of the door and was waiting for them to call me. I hated to wait and they were only wasting my time. I could have gone home and compose but I can't because of…
- Herr Mozart.
At last. I entered and saw the Emperor sitting in his armchair and next to him there were Orsini-Rosenberg whom I hated so much because he was talking much in the libretto of Abduction, he made all my days Hell. And there sat the skeleton Destler, Baron van Swieten, and the court musicians and a librettist.
- Herr Mozart we got to know that you are working on something that is banned here.
- Who said that Your Majesty?
- I think it hardly matters and you are not in the position to ask questions, my friend. Is the news true?
- Yes, it is, Your Majesty, I am working on The Marriage of Figaro.
- Written by Beamarchais?
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Didn't you know it is banned?
- I did.
- Then- Orsini –Rosenberg stepped in front of me- why are you working on it?
- I don1t know why the fuss. – I said, losing my patience a bit. – It is nothing like that. I put out all the politics of it because I hate politics and…
- You are very naïve my young friend. This play is very dangerous because it makes people hate Aristocracy and Kings. Just look what is happening in France. We can't have that in Vienna as well.
- And don't you think, your Majesty, that if a French comedy on stage is dangerous for us, a French Court Composer and Kapellmeister is all right?
- How dare you! – Destler jumped up. – That was uncalled for! Isn't it enough that you behave against His Majesty's will, you start to indulge in personalities? – he ran to me and got my neck, I felt I will die in that exact minute.
- My Destler, stop! – The Emperor saved me the hands disappeared from my neck and I had to be left alone for a few minutes to be able to breath again.
- I am sorry. – Destler turned to the Emperor. – You know I am a bit touchy.
- Of course. But please, my Destler, I ask you to control your temper.
- I try to. – He turned to me again and I could see fury and hatred in his yellow eyes and those eyes were glowing now, - And for your information, I tell you, as I know, my father was German.
- Please, Gentlemen, I hardly think it matters. Let's see the facts. Herr Mozart is working on an opera libretto that is banned right? Can you say any reason I might change my mind so your opera can be on stage?
- The music, your Majesty.
- I am sure you write good music. – the Emperor said. – But why is it so important that you chose Beamarchais's Figaro for it?
- Yes, my friend. – Van Swieten,or as I called him behind his back, Baron von Fugue turned to me. – I think you could have found a subject which is more cultured and nicer. Some everyday people arguing and…
- There is love in it.
- What do you want with that love always? – Destler groaned.
- I can't do anything about it that you are a virgin still.
- I will talk about it with you… later.
- Thank you I am not interested in your love affairs.
- Gentlemen please! Mozart! Why do you have to make fun of Herr Destler again?
- He asked me about love I just answered. So, Your Majesty, it is not a piece like that. It is just a silly little story with love and lots of comedy and a little sensibility as well.
- Are you sure there is nothing about politics in it?
- Yes, Your Majesty. And… Signore Rosenberg could check it.
- I believe that it is the best we could do. And if there is something in it, we could ask our librettist to rewrite it.
- I think it is not needed, Your Majesty, I am working with Lorenzo da Ponte, he is the best librettist in Vienna.
- da Ponte? Yes, I have heard of him, didn't he write the libretto of les Danaides?
- He did, Sir. – Destler answered. – But if Mozart is being so racist with French people I might add he is an Italian.
- Would you two please stop this? – the Emperor shook his head. – Well, I think the best we could do is that Mozart shows his opera to count Orsini- Rosenberg and he says what is wrong with it, then he rewrites it and it might be on stage if the Gentlemen say they agree. Au revoir.
I felt nausea when the Emperor said goodbye in French. It is Skeleton's fault. I was a bit frustrated as it was not how I imagined the things.
- Mozart.- I heard Destler's voice behind my back.
- What do you want?
- You said things to me I am not content with and you insulted me.
- Not yet. – I shook my head. – But I might if you keep talking to me like this.
- Name your weapon .
- Weapon? Do you want a duel?
- If you are not a coward warm you will be in the Cemetery at six o clock in the morning tomorrow.
- Why in the cemetery?
- Because you don't have to pay for taking your dead body there that way. I know you are not too rich, I help you to save money.
- I will be there. I am coming with my best friend Schikaneder and my father.
- Good. What is your weapon?
- I can shoot well. Gun.
- Do you own one or I might lend one of mines?
- I do have a gun. You will see it when your servants will take its bullet out of your ass.
- Yes? Well, just wait my friend.
He bowed his head and left me there. I spitted after him.

CATHERINA
He arrived back at last. I did not know where he was and to be honest I did not even care. All that mattered was that I saw him again. No, not because it was such a pleasure. I did not even know him and I only felt good when we were singing. But he did not want to sing now. This house made me frightened and sad. His study was like a crypt with a coffin. He said he sleeps in that coffin. I knew he should have some mental problems. A healthy man would never sleep in a coffin, underground. But as strange it was that I was waiting for him to return. He was my one companion for two weeks and I missed him when he left. He was the only living being whom I could talk to and he was actually very polite with me. He always searched how he could make me happy. Just that mask… that mask was something I could not stand.
- I hope you don't mind if I leave you a little bit tomorrow morning, Catherina.
– he said as I ate my dinner. He did not eat, nor did he drink, as he never did in these two weeks. I have never seen him doing anything really. I was always wondering how he could stay alive.
- Are you going out again? Don1t leave me.
- You don1t have to be afraid my dear, I will return soon after you wake up.
- Can't I go with you?
- No, I am afraid it is impossible, my child. I'd prefer to be alone.
- But you will return. Will you?
- I will. Don't be afraid you will see Erik tomorrow, sure he can return around 8 am, but he asks for your forgiveness if he might be late.
- Well, just promise you will come back.
- Yes, I will.
I was a bit calmer as he promised me he will return. I was confused about my feelings for him. He was the only one with me so I loved him a bit and he was kind to me so I saw him as a friend maybe but I was not sure. I was afraid of his mask and the mysterious atmosphere he and his house was in all the time. He was too silent. He only spoke when I asked him or talked to him. By himself he never tell anything and it made him even more frightening. And the whole situation that he brought me down here, he kidnapped me, and this strange way he always said he loved me was scary. But it felt good as well.

MOZART

I arrived in the cemetery with my assistant, Schikaneder. I was searching for Destler but I could not see him yet.
- What time is it?
- We are a bit early, it is quarter to six.
- I hate fog. – I complained. – It makes my wig look ugly.
- Wolfgang, please, you are waiting for a duel and you are worried about your wig?
- I am not afraid of the skeleton. – I replied, and looked around. – He might be good but I am better.
- All that matters is that you believe in yourself. – he sighed.
At six o clock, a brougham arrived there as well and the skeleton appeared.
- Jules, my gun please. – he said, turning to his assistant. He gave him a quite good gun, I had to admit that he had a better one than I did.
- I thought you will stay at home. – I said, smiling.
- I never miss the opportunity to teach the lesson for some young arrogant chaps.
- Well, I think you don't have to visit the neighbors for arrogance either.
- Good. So now we will see who is better.
Ten steps… turn… fire. Oh, no, I missed. He is laughing at me. Two steps closer… fire… I missed again.
- That's how you win shooting contests? I would not be so damn proud in your shoes.
He nearly shot me but I could jump away. I am very good at jumping away, you will never kill me.
He shot again. It nearly got me as well but I was cleverer. You will never kill me. But I will kill you. I shot again. He got injured, that's it. I saw he was bleeding, but sadly I only shot his shoulder. I wanted to kill him and knew I will never shoot his head like this. I ran to him.
- Hey Wolfie this is against rules you have to stay at your place!
I did not hear anything; I had to kill this French skeleton before he kills me. I kicked the gun out of his hand and put my hands on his throat and I don't remember how but I did something and… his face remained in my hands. I looked down to my hands and screamed then looked up and…
I saw a face of skull, with no nose and sunken yellow eyes. His face was yellowish grey and that rage it showed was like Hell itself.
- Meet the knife of the Angel of Death!
He shouted and I suddenly felt a very sharp pain in my side and I collapsed in the snow.
Everything went black and I could feel my own blood flowing.