piped, sung or whistled except 'Figaro;' no opera is attended
except 'Figaro,' always 'Figaro.' Certainly a great honor for
me."

(Prague, January 15, 1787, to a friend, whose name is unknown.)

48. "'Don Giovanni' was not written for the Viennese; rather for
the people of Prague, but most of all for me and my friends."

(Reported by Nissen, who also relates that Mozart often said
"The Bohemians are the ones who understand me." When "Le Nozze
di Figaro" received an enthusiastic reception in Prague, Mozart
said: "Because the Bohemians understand me so well I must write
an opera for them." The opera was "Don Giovanni.")

49. "I am just home from the opera; it was as crowded as ever.
The duet, 'Mann und Weib,' and the bells in the first act, were
repeated as usual,--also the trio of the boys in the second act.
But what delights me most is the silent applause! It is easy to
see how this opera is ever rising."

(Vienna, October 7, 1791, to his wife. The opera was "Die
Zauberflote.")



MUSICAL PEDAGOGICS