I cannot recall, but Misliweczeck says he is the best in all
Italy. He also said, "I do beg of you to go to Italy; there one
is esteemed and highly prized." And in truth he is right. When I
come to reflect on the subject, in no country have I received
such honors, or been so esteemed, as in Italy, and nothing
contributes more to a man's fame than to have written Italian
operas, and especially for Naples. He said he would write a
letter for me to Santoro, which I was to copy out when I went to
see him next day; but finding it impossible to return, he sent me
a sketch of the letter to-day. I was told that when Misliweczeck
heard people here speaking of Becke, or other performers on the
piano, he invariably said, "Let no one deceive himself; none can
play like Mozart; in Italy, where the greatest masters are, they
speak of no one but Mozart; when his name is mentioned, not a
word is said of others." I can now write the letter to Naples
when I please; but, indeed, the sooner the better. I should,
however, first like to have the opinion of that highly discreet
Hofcapellmeister, Herr von Mozart. I have the most ardent desire
to write another opera. The distance is certainly great, but the
period is still a long way off when I am to write this opera, and
there may be many changes before then. I think I might at all
events undertake it. If, in the mean time, I get no situation,
eh, bien! I shall then have a resource in Italy. I am at all
events certain to receive 100 ducats in the Carnival; and when I
have once written for Naples I shall be sought for everywhere. As
papa well knows, there is an opera buffa in Naples in spring,
summer, and autumn, for which I might write for the sake of
practice, not to be quite idle. It is true that there is not much
to be got by this, but still there is something, and it would be
the means of gaining more honor and reputation than by giving a