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