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Question (Emperor and Salieri)

posted 10 years ago by tzogas
2 replies | jump to latest

Hi, I have a question about something Emperor Joseph said to Salieri, and I've always wondered about it all these years, small as it is. Thanks in advance if you have the answer:

Joseph and his advisors are discussing which language the proposed opera should be written in. Finally, Joseph looks at Salieri and asks, "Court composer, what do you think?" Salieri says he "thinks it is an interesting idea to keep Mozart in Vienna; it should infuriate the Archbishop beyond measure (if that was Your Majesty's intent)".

Joseph says, "You are co*****, Court composer", and they all laugh knowingly.

What word did Joseph actually use to describe Salieri at that moment? It seems like it's a musical term but it was used in a different context.

Again, thanks.

**Have an A1 day**

[–] Scipii 10 years ago

"Cattivo" it's Italian for like "naughty" or "wicked"

So in the context Salieri said keeping him here would annoy the Arch Bishop which would make the motive naughty or wicked "cattivo"

[–] EW-3 9 years ago

He calls him "cattivo", which is Italian for bad, wicked, naughty.