Musical Mozart!: The Red Coat

“THE RED COAT”

( Act I Scene 2 )

Wolfgang:

As children we toured all over Europe

and I wore a coat that sparkled

It was the height of fashion.

Nannerl:

Oh, yes! I remember.

Wolfgang:

It was a present.

Nannerl:

From the Empress.

Wolfgang:

It doesn’t fit me anymore

and I’ve worn grey ever since.

From now on, I’ll only wear this.

Nannerl:

The exact same design as before.

Wolfgang:

How do I look? Isn’t it grand?

Nannerl:

Gold embroidery

A coat only aristocrats wear

Yours is just as dazzling

You are always my prince

Wolfgang:

Papa will like it, too.

He’ll get us ready for another tour, saying

‘Son, let’s go make some money!’

Nannerl:

I’ll come with you.

Wolfgang:

Mother, too.

Nannerl:

To Paris!

Wolfgang:

To London!

Nannerl:

To a greater world.

Wolfgang:

It’s too boring here!

Everyone’s busy kissing the Archbishop’s arse.

Nannerl:

We’ll leave this place for somewhere freer.

Wolfgang:

Freedom, festivals, shining palaces

Beautiful music flows from my head

The best music! In the coat I dreamed of.

photo credit: leaplis.com