Emile Zola - "The Three Cities Trilogy: Lourdes, Vol. 2"

Isabel C. Byrum - "The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher"

Anna Katherine Green - "The Mill Mystery"

Samuel Johnson - "Preface to a Dictionary of the English Language"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

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Books: The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, V.1.

W >> Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart >> The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, V.1.






8.

Bologna, March 24, 1770.

Oh, you busy creature!

Having been so long idle, I thought it would do me no harm to set
to work again for a short time. On the post-days, when the German
letters come, all that I eat and drink tastes better than usual.
I beg you will let me know who are to sing in the oratorio, and
also its title. Let me hear how you like the Haydn minuets, and
whether they are better than the first. From my heart I rejoice
to hear that Herr von Aman is now quite recovered; pray say to
him that he must take great care of himself and beware of any
unusual exertion. Be sure you tell him this. I intend shortly to
send you a minuet that Herr Pick danced on the stage, and which
every one in Milan was dancing at the feste di ballo, only that
you may see by it how slowly people dance. The minuet itself is
beautiful. Of course it comes from Vienna, so no doubt it is
either Teller's or Starzer's. It has a great many notes. Why?
Because it is a theatrical minuet, which is in slow time. The
Milan and Italian minuets, however, have a vast number of notes,
and are slow and with a quantity of bars; for instance, the first
part has sixteen, the second twenty, and even twenty-four.

We made the acquaintance of a singer in Parma, and also heard her
to great advantage in her own house--I mean the far-famed
Bastardella. She has, first, a fine voice; second, a flexible
organ; third, an incredibly high compass. She sang the following
notes and passages in my presence.

[Here, Mozart illustrates with about 20 measures of music]



9.

Rome, April 14, 1770.

I AM thankful to say that my stupid pen and I are all right, so
we send a thousand kisses to you both. I wish that my sister were
in Rome, for this city would assuredly delight her, because St.
Peter's is symmetrical, and many other things in Rome are also
symmetrical. Papa has just told me that the loveliest flowers are
being carried past at this moment. That I am no wiseacre is
pretty well known.

Oh! I have one annoyance--there is only a single bed in our
lodgings, so mamma may easily imagine that I get no rest beside
papa. I rejoice at the thoughts of a new lodging. I have just
finished sketching St. Peter with his keys, St. Paul with his
sword, and St. Luke with--my sister, &c., &c. I had the honor of
kissing St. Peter's foot at San Pietro, and as I have the
misfortune to be so short, your good old

WOLFGANG MOZART

was lifted up!



10.

Rome, April 21, 1770.

CARA SORELLA MIA,--

Pray try to find the "Art of Ciphering" which you copied out, but
I have lost it, and know nothing about it. So pray do write it
out again for me, with some other copies of sums, and send them
to me here.

Manzuoli has entered into a contract with the Milanese to sing in
my opera [see Nos. 2-6]. For this reason he sang four or five
arias to me in Florence, and also some of my own, which I was
obliged to compose in Milan (none of my theatrical things having
been heard there) to prove that I was capable of writing an
opera. Manzuoli asks 1000 ducats. It is not yet quite certain
whether Gabrielli will come. Some say Madame de' Amicis will sing
in it; we shall see her in Naples. I wish that she and Manzuoli
could act together; we should then be sure of two good friends.
The libretto is not yet chosen. I recommended one of Metastasio's
to Don Ferdinando [Count Firmiani's steward, in Milan] and to
Herr von Troyer. I am at this moment at work on the aria "Se
ardore e speranza."



11.

Rome, April 25, 1770.

CARA SORELLA MIA,--

Io vi accerto che io aspetto con una incredibile premura tutte le
giornate di posta qualche lettere di Salisburgo. Jeri fummo a S.
Lorenzo e sentimmo il Vespero, e oggi matina la messa cantata, e
la sera poi il secondo vespero, perche era la festa della Madonna
del Buonconsiglio. Questi giorni fummi nel Campidoglio e viddemmo
varie belle cose. Se io volessi scrivere tutto quel che viddi,
non bastarebbe questo foglietto. In due Accademie suonai, e
domani suonero anche in una.--Subito dopo pranzo giuochiamo a
Potsch [Boccia]. Questo e un giuoco che imparai qui, quando verro
a casa, ve l'imparero. Finita questa lettera finiro una sinfonia
mia, che comminciai. L'aria e finita, una sinfonia e dal copista
(il quale e il mio padre) perche noi non la vogliamo dar via per
copiarla; altrimente ella sarebbe rubata.

WOLFGANGO in Germania. AMADEO MOZART in Italia.

Roma caput mundi il 25 Aprile anno 1770
nell' anno venture 1771.

[Footnote: "DEAREST SISTER,--"I assure you that I always expect
with intense eagerness my letters from Salzburg on post-days.
Yesterday we were at S. Lorenzo and heard vespers, and to-day at
the chanted mass, and in the evening at the second vespers,
because it was the Feast of the Madonna del Buonconsiglio. A few
days ago we were at the Campidoglio, where we saw a great many
fine things. If I tried to write you an account of all I saw,
this sheet would not suffice. I played at two concerts, and to-
morrow I am to play at another. After dinner we played at Potsch
[Boccia]. This is a game I have learnt, and when I come home, I
will teach it to you. When I have finished this letter, I am
going to complete a symphony that I have begun. The aria is
finished. The copyist (who is my father) has the symphony,
because we do not choose it to be copied by any one else, or it
might be stolen.

"WOLFGANGO in Germany.

"AMADEO MOZART in Italy.

"Rome, mistress of the world: April 25, 1770."]



12.

Naples, May 19, 1770.

CARA SORELLA MIA,--

Vi prego di scrivermi presto e tutti i giorni di posta. Io vi
ringrazio di avermi mandata questi "Art of Ciphering," [FOOTNOTE:
"I beg you will write to me soon, indeed every post-day. I thank
you for having sent me the 'Art of Ciphering.'"] e vi prego, se
mai volete avere mal di testa, di mandarmi ancora un poco di
questi "books." [FOOTNOTE: "And I beg if you ever want to have a
headache, that you will send me some more."] Perdonate mi che
scrivo si malamente, ma la razione e perche anche io ebbi un poco
mal di testa. [FOOTNOTE: "of the same kind. Excuse my writing so
badly, but the reason is that I have a bit of a headache
myself."]

Haydn's twelfth minuet, which you sent me, pleases me very much;
you have composed an inimitable bass for it, and without the
slightest fault. I do beg that you will often exercise yourself
in such things. Mamma must not forget to see that the guns are
both polished up. Tell me how Master Canary is? Does he still
sing? and still whistle? Do you know why I am thinking about the
canary? Because we have one in our ante-room that chirps out a G
sharp just like ours. [Footnote: Mozart was extremely fond of
animals, and later in life had always birds in his room.] A
propos, Herr Johannes [Hagenauer], no doubt, received the letter
of congratulation which we intended to write to him? But if he
has not got it, I will tell him myself, when we meet in Salzburg,
what ought to have been in it. Yesterday we wore our new clothes;
we were as handsome as angels. My kind regards to Nandl; she must
not fail to pray diligently for me.

Jomelli's opera is to be given on the 30th. We saw the king and
queen at mass in the court chapel at Portici, and we also saw
Vesuvius. Naples is beautiful, but as crowded with people as
Vienna or Paris. As for London and Naples, I think that in point
of insolence on the part of the people Naples almost surpasses
London; because here the lazzaroni have their regular head or
leader, who receives twenty-five ducati d'argento monthly from
the king for keeping the lazzaroni in order.

Madame de' Amicis sings in the opera--we were there. Caffaro is
to compose the second opera, Ciccio di Majo the third, but who is
to compose the fourth is not yet known. Be sure you go regularly
to Mirabell, to hear the Litanies, and listen to the "Regina
Coeli" or the "Salve Regina," and sleep sound, and take care to
have no evil dreams. My most transcendent regards to Herr von
Schiedenhofen--tralaliera! tralaliera! Tell him to learn the
repetition minuet on the piano, to be sure to DO so, and DO not
let him forget it. He must DO this in order to DO me the favor to
let me accompany him some day or other. DO give my best
compliments to all my friends, and DO continue to live happily,
and DO not die, but DO live on, that you may be able to DO
another letter for me, and I DO one for you, and thus we shall go
on DOING till we can DO something worth DOING; but I am one of
those who will go on DOING till all DOINGS are at an end. In the
mean time I DO subscribe myself

Your W. M.



13.

Naples, May 29, 1770.

Jeri l'altro fummo nella prova dell' opera del Sign. Jomelli, la
quale e una opera che e ben scritta e che me piace veramente. Il
Sign. Jomelli ci ha parlato ed era molto civile. E fummo anche in
una chiesa a sentir una Musica la quale fu del Sign. Ciccio di
Majo, ed era una bellissima Musica. Anche lui ci parlci ed era
molto compito. La Signora de' Amicis canto a meraviglia. Stiamo
Dio grazia assai bene di salute, particolarmente io, quando viene
una lettera di Salisburgo. Vi prego di scrivermi tutti giorni di
posta, e se anche non avete niente da scrivermi, solamente vorrei
averlo per aver qualche lettera tutti giorni di posta. Egli non
sarebbe mal fatto, se voi mi scriveste qualche volta una
letterina italiana.

[FOOTNOTE: "The other day we attended the rehearsal of Signor
Jomelli's opera, which is well written and pleases me
exceedingly. Signor Jomelli spoke to us and was very civil. We
also went to a church to hear a mass by Signor Ciccio di Majo,
and it was most beautiful music. Signora de' Amicus sang
incomparably. We are, thank God, very well, and I feel
particularly so when a letter from Salzburg arrives. I beg you
will write to me every post-day, even if you have nothing to
write about, for I should like to have a letter by every post. It
would not be a bad idea to write me a little letter in Italian."]



14.

Naples, June 5, 1770.

Vesuvius is smoking fiercely! Thunder and lightning and blazes!
Haid homa gfresa beim Herr Doll. Das is a deutscha Compositor,
und a browa Mo. [Footnote: "Today we dined with Herr Doll, he is
a good composer and a worthy man" [Vienna Patois]] Now I begin to
describe my course of life.--Alle 9 ore, qualche volta anche alle
dieci mi svelgio, e poi andiamo fuor di casa, e poi pranziamo da
un trattore, e dopo pranzo scriviamo, e poi sortiamo, e indi
ceniamo, ma che cosa? Al giorno di grasso, un mezzo pollo ovvero
un piccolo boccone d'arrosto; al giorno di magro un piccolo
pesce; e di poi andiamo a dormire. Est-ce que vous avez compris?
--Redma dafir Soisburgarisch, don as is gschaida. Wir sand Gottlob
gesund da Voda und i. [Footnote: "I rise generally every morning
at 9 o'clock, but sometimes not till 10, when we go out. We dine
at a restaurateur's, after dinner I write, and then we go out
again, and afterwards sup, but on what? on jours gras, half a
fowl, or a small slice of roast meat, on jours maigres a little
fish, and then we go to sleep. Do you understand? Let us talk
Salzburgisch, for that is more sensible. Thank God, my father and
I are well" [Patois]] I hope you and mamma are so also. Naples
and Rome are two drowsy cities. A scheni Schrift!
net wor? [Footnote: "Fine writing, is it not?" [Patois.]] Write
to me, and do not be so lazy. Altrimente avrete qualche bastonate
di me. Quel plaisir! Je te casserai la tete. [Footnote:
"Otherwise I will cudgel you soundly. What a pleasure--to break
your head!"] I am delighted with the thoughts of the portraits
[of his mother and sister, who had promised to have their
likenesses taken], und i bi korios wias da gleich sieht; wons ma
gfoin, so los i mi und den Vodan a so macho. Maidli, lass Da
saga, wo list dan gwesa he? [Footnote: "And I am anxious to see
what they are like, and then I will have my father and myself
also taken. Fair maiden, say, where have you been, eh?"
[Patois.]] The opera here is Jomelli's; it is fine, but too grave
and old-fashioned for this stage. Madame de' Amicis sings
incomparably, and so does Aprile, who used to sing at Milan. The
dancing is miserably pretentious. The theatre beautiful. The King
has been brought up in the rough Neapolitan fashion, and at the
opera always stands on a stool, so that he may look a little
taller than the Queen, who is beautiful and so gracious, for she
bowed to me in the most condescending manner no less than six
times on the Molo.



15.

Naples, June 16, 1770.

I AM well and lively and happy as ever, and as glad to travel. I
made an excursion on the Mediterranean. I kiss mamma's hand and
Nannerl's a thousand times, and am your son, Steffl, and your
brother, Hansl.



16.

Rome, July 7, 1770.

CARA SORELLA MIA,--

I am really surprised that you can compose so charmingly. In a
word, the song is beautiful. Often try something similar. Send me
soon the other six minuets of Haydn. Mademoiselle, j'ai l'honneur
d'etre votre tres-humble serviteur et frere,

CHEVALIER DE MOZART.

[He had received from the Pope the cross of the Order of the
Golden Spur.]



17.

Bologna, July 21, 1770.

I WISH mamma joy of her name-day, and hope that she may live for
many hundred years to come and retain good health, which I always
ask of God, and pray to Him for you both every day. I cannot do
honor to the occasion except with some Loretto bells, and wax
tapers, and caps, and gauze when I return. In the mean time,
good-bye, mamma. I kiss your hand a thousand times, and remain,
till death, your attached son.



18.

Io vi auguro d'Iddio, vi dia sempre salute, e vi lasci vivere
ancora cent' anni e vi faccia morire quando avrete mille anni.
Spero che voi impararete meglio conoscermi ni avvenire e che poi
ne giudicherete come ch' egli vi piace. Il tempo non mi permette
di scriver motto. La penna non vale un corno, ne pure quello che
la dirigge. Il titolo dell' opera che ho da comporre a Milano,
non si sa ancora.

[Footnote: "My prayer to God is, that He may grant you health,
and allow you to live to be a hundred, and not to die till you
are a thousand years old. I hope that you will learn to know me
better in future, and that you will then judge of me as you
please. Time does not permit me to write much. My pen is not
worth a pin, nor the hand that guides it. I don't yet know the
title of the opera that I am to compose at Milan."]

My landlady at Rome made me a present of the "Thousand and One
Nights" in Italian; it is most amusing to read.



19.

Bologna, August 4, 1770.

I GRIEVE from my heart to hear that Jungfrau Marthe is still so
ill, and I pray every day that she may recover. Tell her from me
that she must beware of much fatigue and eat only what is
strongly salted [she was consumptive]. A propos, did you give my
letter to Robinsiegerl? [Sigismund Robinig, a friend of his]. You
did not mention it when you wrote. I beg that when you see him
you will tell him he is not quite to forget me. I can't possibly
write better, for my pen is only fit to write music and not a
letter. My violin has been newly strung, and I play every day. I
only mention this because mamma wished to know whether I still
played the violin. I have had the honor to go at least six times
by myself into the churches to attend their splendid ceremonies.
In the mean time I have composed four Italian symphonies
[overtures], besides five or six arias, and also a motett.

Does Herr Deibl often come to see you? Does he still honor you by
his amusing conversation? And the noble Herr Carl von Vogt, does
he still deign to listen to your tiresome voices? Herr von
Schiedenhofen must assist you often in writing minuets, otherwise
he shall have no sugar-plums.

If time permitted, it would be my duty to trouble Herr von Molk
and Herr von Schiedenhofen with a few lines; but as that most
indispensable of all things is wanting, I hope they will forgive
my neglect, and consider me henceforth absolved from this honor.
I have begun various cassations [a kind of divertimento], so I
have thus responded to your desire. I don't think the piece in
question can be one of mine, for who would venture to publish as
his own composition what is, in reality, written by the son of
the Capellmeister, and whose mother and sister are in the same
town? Addio--farewell! My sole recreations consist in dancing
English hornpipes and cutting capers. Italy is a land of sleep; I
am always drowsy here. Addio--good-bye!



20.

Bologna, August 21, 1770.

I AM not only still alive, but in capital spirits. To-day I took
a fancy to ride a donkey, for such is the custom in Italy, so I
thought that I too must give it a trial. We have the honor to
associate with a certain Dominican who is considered a very pious
ascetic. I somehow don't quite think so, for he constantly takes
a cup of chocolate for breakfast, and immediately afterwards a
large glass of strong Spanish wine; and I have myself had the
privilege of dining with this holy man, when he drank a lot of
wine at dinner and a full glass of very strong wine afterwards,
two large slices of melons, some peaches and pears for dessert,
five cups of coffee, a whole plateful of nuts, and two dishes of
milk and lemons. This he may perhaps do out of bravado, but I
don't think so--at all events, it is far too much; and he eats a
great deal also at his afternoon collation.



21.

Bologna, Sept. 8, 1770.

NOT to fail in my duty, I must write a few words. I wish you
would tell me in your next letter to what brotherhoods I belong,
and also let me know the prayers I am bound to offer up for them.
I am now reading "Telemachus," and am already in the second
volume. Good-bye for the present! Love to mamma.



22.

I HOPE that mamma and you are both well, but I wish you would
answer my letters more punctually in time to come; indeed, it is
far easier to answer than to originate. I like these six minuets
far better than the first twelve; we often played them to the
Countess [Pallivicini, at whose country-seat, near Bologna,
father and son spent some months]. We only wish we could succeed
in introducing a taste for German minuets into Italy, as their
minuets last nearly as long as entire symphonies. Forgive my bad
writing; I could write better, but I am in such a hurry.



23.

Bologna, Sept. 29, 1770.

IN order to fill up papa's letter, I intend to add a few words. I
grieve deeply to hear of Jungfrau Marthe's long-continued
illness, which the poor girl bears, too, with such patience. I
hope, please God, she may still recover. If not, we must not
grieve too much, for the will of God is always best, and God
certainly knows better than we do whether it is most for our good
to be in this world or in the next. But it will cheer her to
enjoy this fine weather once more after all the rain.



24.

Bologna, Oct. 6, 1770.

I AM heartily glad that you have been so gay; I only wish I had
been with you. I hope Jungfrau Marthe is better. To-day I played
the organ at the Dominicans. Congratulate the .... from me, and
say that I sincerely wish they may live to see the fiftieth
anniversary of Father Dominikus's saying mass, and that we may
all once more have a happy meeting.

[Footnote: Jahn observes that he probably alludes to their
intimate friends, the merchant Hagenauer's family, with whom old
Mozart had many pecuniary transactions for the purpose of his
travels, and whose son entered the church in 1764.]

My best wishes to all Thereserls, and compliments to all my
friends in the house and out of the house. I wish I were likely
soon to hear the Berchtesgadner symphonies, and perhaps blow a
trumpet or play a fife in one myself. I saw and heard the great
festival of St. Petronius in Bologna. It was fine, but long. The
trumpeters came from Lucca to make the proper flourish of honor,
but their trumpeting was detestable.



25.

Milan, Oct. 20, 1770.

MY DEAR MAMMA,--

I cannot write much, for my fingers ache from writing out such a
quantity of recitative. I hope you will pray for me that my opera
["Mitridate Re di Ponto"] may go off well, and that we soon may
have a joyful meeting. I kiss your hands a thousand times, and
have a great deal to say to my sister; but what? That is known
only to God and myself. Please God, I hope soon to be able to
confide it to her verbally; in the mean time, I send her a
thousand kisses. My compliments to all kind friends. We have lost
our good Martherl, but we hope that by the mercy of God she is
now in a state of blessedness.



26.

Milan, Oct. 27, 1770.

MY VERY DEAREST SISTER,--

You know that I am a great talker, and was so when I left you. At
present I replace this very much by signs, for the son of this
family is deaf and dumb. I must now set to work at my opera. I
regret very much that I cannot send you the minuet you wish to
have, but, God willing, perhaps about Easter you may see both it
and me. I can write no more.--Farewell! and pray for me.



27.

Milan, Nov. 3, 1770.

MY VERY DEARLY LOVED SISTER,--

I thank you and mamma for your sincere good wishes; my most
ardent desire is to see you both soon in Salzburg. In reference
to your congratulations, I may say that I believe Herr Martinelli
suggested your Italian project. My dear sister, you are always so
very clever, and contrived it all so charmingly that, just
underneath your congratulations in Italian, followed M. Martini's
compliments in the same style of penmanship, so that I could not
possibly find you out; nor did I do so, and I immediately said to
papa, "Oh! how I do wish I were as clever and witty as she is!"
Then papa answered, "Indeed, that is true enough." On which I
rejoined, "Oh! I am so sleepy;" so he merely replied, "Then stop
writing." Addio! Pray to God that my opera may be successful. I
am your brother,

W. M.,

whose fingers are weary from writing.



28.

Milan, Dec. 1, 1770.

DEAREST SISTER,--

As it is so long since I wrote to you, I thought that I might
perhaps pacify your just wrath and indignation by these lines. I
have now a great deal to work at, and to write for my opera. I
trust all will go well, with the help of God. Addio! As ever,
your faithful brother,

WOLFGANG MOZART.



29.

MY DARLING SISTER,--

It is long since I have written to you, having been so much
occupied with my opera. As I have now more time, I shall attend
better to my duty. My opera, thank God, is popular, as the
theatre is full every evening, which causes great surprise, for
many say that during all the time they have lived in Milan they
never saw any first opera so crowded as on this occasion. I am
thankful to say that both papa and I are quite well, and I hope
at Easter to have an opportunity of relating everything to mamma
and you. Addio! A propos, the copyist was with us yesterday, and
said that he was at that moment engaged in transcribing my opera
for the Lisbon court. Good-bye, my dear Madlle. sister,

Always and ever your attached brother.



30.

Venice, Feb 15, 1771

MY VERY DEAR SISTER,--

You have, no doubt, heard from papa that I am well. I have
nothing to write about, except my love and kisses to mamma. Give
the enclosed--Al sig. Giovanni. La signora perla ricono la
riverisce tanto come anche tutte le altre perle, e li assicuro
che tutte sono inamorata di lei, e che sperano che lei prendera
per moglie tutte, come i Turchi per contenar tutte sei. Questo
scrivo in casa di Sign. Wider, il quale e un galant' uomo come
lei melo scrisse, ed jeri abbiamo finito il carnavale da lui,
cenardo da lui e poi ballammo ed andammo colle perle in compagnie
nel ridotto nuovo, che mi piacque assai. Quando sto dal Sign.
Wider e guardando fuori della finestra vedo la casa dove lei
abito quando lei fu in Venezia. Il nuovo non so niente. Venezia
mi piace assai. Il mio complimento al Sign., suo padre e madre,
sorelle, fratelli, e a tutti i miei amici ed amiche. Addio!

[Footnote: "To Herr Johannes [Hagenauer] The fair 'pearl' has the
same high opinion of you that all the other 'pearls' here have. I
assure you that they are all in love with you, and their hope is
that you will marry them all (like the Turks), and so please them
every one. I write this in the house of Signor Wider, who is an
excellent man and exactly what you wrote to me, yesterday we
finished the Carnival in his house. We supped there and then
danced, and went afterwards, in company with the 'pearls,' to the
new masquerade, which amused me immensely. When I look out of the
window at Signor Wider's, I see the house that you inhabited in
Venice. I have no news. I like Venice very well. My compliments
to your father and mother, brothers and sisters, and all my
friends. Adieu!"]



31.

Venice, Feb. 20, 1771.

I AM still well, and, thank God, in the land of the living.
Madame de' Amicis has been singing at S. Benedetto. Say to Herr
Johannes that the Widerischen Berlein family are constantly
speaking of him (particularly Madlle. Catherine), so he must soon
return to Vienna to encounter the attacca--that is, in order to
become a true Venetian, you must allow yourself to be bumped down
on the ground. They wished to do this to me also, but though
seven women tried it, the whole seven together did not succeed in
throwing me down. Addio!