Life of Mozart

——DESPINA. 263boastful loquacity and solemn conceit of the charlatan standout from the surroundings without the need of any specialmedium for their expression. Every phrase is pronouncedsimply but with telling effect ; exaggeration, which at thispoint of the situation would only do harm, is carefullyavoided, and -thegeneral impression of unclouded gaiety isheightened by the intensity with which theother charactersexpress their feelings.^^ The notary in the second finale isquite as humorously depicted.After an elaborate greeting,the polite elegance of which is mockingly expressed by thefigure in the accompaniment, given to the second violins, thenotary begins to read the marriage contract in a monotone{pel naso, Mozart directs), which is the most comic imitationof reality in its five times repeated phrasetwice with additional emphasis^=^^ß^^^Eßi '-^^^m^ iff=ff- ^The accompaniment of the violins is different for each clause(the basses remaining the same), and increases in speed,thus producing a climax provoked by the impatient exclamationsof the bridal party. The whole conception of thepart of Despina may be referred to the individuality of itsfirst performer, Signora Bussani, whose reputation was5* The repetition by the wind instruments of the passage of such irresistiblycomic gravityis wanting in the original score, and is written by the hand of a copyist on aseparate sheet for flutes and bassoons only ; nor do the reierences appear to meto be by Mozart. The insertion, however, was unquestionably in accordancewith his intentions.