Mozart: [of his great opera, "Figaro"] Nine performances! Nine, that's all it's had! And withdrawn! Salieri: I know, I know, it's outrageous. Still,

Mozart: [of his great opera, "Figaro"] Nine performances! Nine, that's all it's had! And withdrawn!
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.
Mozart: But what is it that they don't like?
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.
Mozart: What did you think of it yourself? Did you like it at all?
Salieri: I thought it was marvelous.
Mozart: Of course! It's the best opera yet written, I know it... Why didn't they come?
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?
Mozart: I know, I know, maybe you should give me some lessons in that...

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Mozart: [about the royal composer's position he did not get] Whom did they choose?
Salieri: Herr Zummer.
Mozart: Herr Zummer? But the man's a fool, he's a total mediocrity!
Salieri: No, no, he has yet to achieve mediocrity.

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