Nine performances! Nine, that's all it's had! And withdrawn! I know, I know, it's...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: [of his great opera "Figaro"] 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 And withdrawn!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.

Nine performances! Nine! That's all it's had! Withdrawn! I know, I know. It's outrageous. Still, if the public doesn't like one's work... ...one has to accept the fact gracefully. But what is it that they don't like? 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. What did you think of it yourself? Did you like it at all? I thought it was marvelous. Of course. It's the best opera yet written. I know it! Why didn't they come? I think you overestimate our dear Viennese, friend. You didn't give them a bang at the end of songs... ...to let them know when to clap. I know, I know. Maybe you should give me some lessons in that. I wouldn't presume. Nevertheless, at the risk of imposing... ...I'd like you to see my new piece. It would be an honor for me. No, the honor would be all mine. Grazie, Wolfgang. Grazie a lei, Signor Antonio.