proved so successful that I cannot possibly describe all the
tumult. In the first place, the whole theatre was so crammed that
many people were obliged to go away. After each aria there was
invariably a tremendous uproar and clapping of hands, and cries
of Viva Maestro! Her Serene Highness the Electress and the
Dowager (who were opposite me) also called out Bravo! When the
opera was over, during the interval when all is usually quiet
till the ballet begins, the applause and shouts of Bravo! were
renewed; sometimes there was a lull, but only to recommence
afresh, and so forth. I afterwards went with papa to a room
through which the Elector and the whole court were to pass. I
kissed the hands of the Elector and the Electress and the other
royalties, who were all very gracious. At an early hour this
morning the Prince Bishop of Chiemsee [who had most probably
procured the scrittura for his young friend Wolfgang] sent to
congratulate me that the opera had proved such a brilliant
success in every respect. As to our return home, it is not likely
to be soon, nor should mamma wish it, for she must know well what
a good thing it is to have a little breathing time. We shall come
quite soon enough to----. One most just and undeniable reason is,
that my opera is to be given again on Friday next, and I am very
necessary at the performance, or it might be difficult to
recognize it again. There are very odd ways here. 1000 kisses to
Miss Bimberl [the dog].

The Archbishop of Salzburg, who was very reluctant to admit the
merits of his Concertmeister, was an involuntary witness of the
universal approbation bestowed on Wolfgang's opera, although he
would not go to hear it himself. On the 18th of January, 1775,
Wolfgang added the following lines to his father's letter:--