here, little one," Florian replied, blowing a kiss across the room.
"Where are Amelia and Georgi?"
"Oh, we left them at home. All you need is children running all over the place. Liese looks out of temper as it is."
"We left Ute and Adolfus to mind them. God knows what we will find when we get back."
The Adambergers’ elderly servants had been with Florian since his childhood. Tales of their indulgence to the whims of the children were well-known. On one spectacular occasion Florian and Olympia had returned home to find both white-haired servants tied to chairs, surrounded by ‘wild Indians’. Once they had captured their caretakers, the young Adambergers had bounced upon a bed until the frame collapsed, and then popped pillows by using them for pitched battles. The apartment had been ankle deep in feathers. Not only that, but the children had capped their misdeeds by devouring an entire torte which the baker had just brought up that morning. While Olympia wept and apologized as she untied the servants, Florian had wreaked vengeance upon them all with the palm of his hand.
"Is Adele at home? She'll keep them in order." This was the oldest girl, now sixteen. She was tall, handsome and very responsible. Klara took a special interest in Adele because she too studied with Signor Manzoli.
"Unfortunately not, but the reason why we’re here is the most wonderful news! Adele’s got a part at the Court Theater, a trouser role in Kapellmeister Salieri's new opera. Signorina Bibiena fell sick last night. Perhaps with the same catarrh you've had. She opened her mouth in the first act and only screeches came out."
"Not that much different than the usual ," Florian chuckled.
“We hear that Signorina Bibiena sent to the Court apothecary and is in her bed. We're just hoping that Adele will have three weeks in order to make her mark. Why, we've just come from lighting candles at the Lady Chapel at Saint Stephen's."
"Not, I gather, for Signorina Bibiena's recovery?" Herr Almassy smiled at her.
"Ah, sir," Olympia replied, "I fear you misjudge us. Of course we asked the Blessed Mother to allow the Signorina to regain her voice – but only much later this year."
"Well, it's only fair," Florian said, "for we've exchanged far too many Italian singers for Germans over this winter. Signorina Bibiena's indisposition is a small attempt at balancing the scales. Klara, dear, do you think they'll give you back your Alceste?"
"No. I've relinquished the role to Signorina Amelli. It seemed the only thing to do, especially the first few days when I was so horribly ill."
"Of course you'd be conscientious, my dear, but when the day comes one of them is as reasonable, the Second Coming may be in view."
"And what is the verdict of this able Herr Doctor?" Florian nodded at Akos.
"Fraulein Silber should be able to exercise her voice in a few days. At that time, Signor Manzoli will give us his opinion, but I believe she will be able to sing before Carnival is done,"
"Yes, thank Heavan!" Klara was fervent. "I would be miserable to the core to lose this season entirely."
"We all have a lot to thank you for, Concertmaster Almassy, if you have preserved Klara's voice and can bring her so quickly back to our stage. I have always believed my wife's career was ended by the advice of a poor doctor."
"They bled you, Frau Adamberger?"
"Among other things. I shall never permit it again, no matter how much the quacks chatter about adjusting the humors."
"My grandfather rarely used blood-letting in his cures. Perhaps that is why his title remains 'Gardener’."
Everyone laughed. Klara said, "Herr Almassy has been such a support." Her enthusiasm was followed by a flush. "He has been playing to me, too. It is just so lovely to have good music when I can't go the theater or make any for myself."
Liese brought in coffee and a plate of sugar-dusted lemon cakes and they settled to chat in the cosy parlor. The stove in the corner creaked, sending a wonderful
"Where are Amelia and Georgi?"
"Oh, we left them at home. All you need is children running all over the place. Liese looks out of temper as it is."
"We left Ute and Adolfus to mind them. God knows what we will find when we get back."
The Adambergers’ elderly servants had been with Florian since his childhood. Tales of their indulgence to the whims of the children were well-known. On one spectacular occasion Florian and Olympia had returned home to find both white-haired servants tied to chairs, surrounded by ‘wild Indians’. Once they had captured their caretakers, the young Adambergers had bounced upon a bed until the frame collapsed, and then popped pillows by using them for pitched battles. The apartment had been ankle deep in feathers. Not only that, but the children had capped their misdeeds by devouring an entire torte which the baker had just brought up that morning. While Olympia wept and apologized as she untied the servants, Florian had wreaked vengeance upon them all with the palm of his hand.
"Is Adele at home? She'll keep them in order." This was the oldest girl, now sixteen. She was tall, handsome and very responsible. Klara took a special interest in Adele because she too studied with Signor Manzoli.
"Unfortunately not, but the reason why we’re here is the most wonderful news! Adele’s got a part at the Court Theater, a trouser role in Kapellmeister Salieri's new opera. Signorina Bibiena fell sick last night. Perhaps with the same catarrh you've had. She opened her mouth in the first act and only screeches came out."
"Not that much different than the usual ," Florian chuckled.
“We hear that Signorina Bibiena sent to the Court apothecary and is in her bed. We're just hoping that Adele will have three weeks in order to make her mark. Why, we've just come from lighting candles at the Lady Chapel at Saint Stephen's."
"Not, I gather, for Signorina Bibiena's recovery?" Herr Almassy smiled at her.
"Ah, sir," Olympia replied, "I fear you misjudge us. Of course we asked the Blessed Mother to allow the Signorina to regain her voice – but only much later this year."
"Well, it's only fair," Florian said, "for we've exchanged far too many Italian singers for Germans over this winter. Signorina Bibiena's indisposition is a small attempt at balancing the scales. Klara, dear, do you think they'll give you back your Alceste?"
"No. I've relinquished the role to Signorina Amelli. It seemed the only thing to do, especially the first few days when I was so horribly ill."
"Of course you'd be conscientious, my dear, but when the day comes one of them is as reasonable, the Second Coming may be in view."
"And what is the verdict of this able Herr Doctor?" Florian nodded at Akos.
"Fraulein Silber should be able to exercise her voice in a few days. At that time, Signor Manzoli will give us his opinion, but I believe she will be able to sing before Carnival is done,"
"Yes, thank Heavan!" Klara was fervent. "I would be miserable to the core to lose this season entirely."
"We all have a lot to thank you for, Concertmaster Almassy, if you have preserved Klara's voice and can bring her so quickly back to our stage. I have always believed my wife's career was ended by the advice of a poor doctor."
"They bled you, Frau Adamberger?"
"Among other things. I shall never permit it again, no matter how much the quacks chatter about adjusting the humors."
"My grandfather rarely used blood-letting in his cures. Perhaps that is why his title remains 'Gardener’."
Everyone laughed. Klara said, "Herr Almassy has been such a support." Her enthusiasm was followed by a flush. "He has been playing to me, too. It is just so lovely to have good music when I can't go the theater or make any for myself."
Liese brought in coffee and a plate of sugar-dusted lemon cakes and they settled to chat in the cosy parlor. The stove in the corner creaked, sending a wonderful
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