Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Keep it Majesty, if you want. It's already here in my head.Emperor Joseph II: What? On one hearing only?Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: I think so, Sire, yes.Emperor Joseph II: Show us.
Constanze Mozart: Wolfie, I think you really are going mad. You work like a slave for that idiot actor who won't give you a penny. And here, this is not a ghost! This is a real man who puts down real money. Why on earth won't you finish it? Can you give me one reason I can understand?Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: It's killing me.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Nine performances! Nine, that's all it's had! And withdrawn!Antonio Salieri: I know, I know, it's outrageous. Still, if the public doesn't like one's work, one has to accept the fact gracefully.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: But what is it that they don't like?Antonio Salieri: I can speak for the Emperor. You make too many demands on the royal ear. The poor man can't concentrate for more than an hour... you gave him four.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: What did you think of it yourself? Did you like it at all?Antonio Salieri: I thought it was marvelous.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Of course! It's the best opera yet written, I know it... why didn't they come?Antonio Salieri: I think you overestimate our dear Viennese, my friend. You know you didn't even give them a good bang at the end of songs, to let them know when to clap?Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: I know, I know... maybe you should give me some lessons in that.
Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?