shop at Salzburg. The terms on which he was received back were
somewhat improved, for his absence had rendered his value more
perceptible; and a greater latitude was allowed him in visiting, and
composing for other courts. In the winter of 1780-1, he made use of
his leave of absence by writing and bringing out at Munich, with
triumphant success, the splendid serious opera of _Idomeneo_, always
so great a favourite with himself, and which is still regarded as a
masterpiece.

"With this work, the most important in its influence on music,
Mozart crowned his twenty-fifth year. The score is still a picture
to the musician. It exhibits consummate knowledge of the theatre,
displayed in an opera of the first magnitude and complexity; which
unites to a great orchestra the effects of a double chorus on the
stage and behind the scenes; and introduces marches, processions,
and dances, to various accompaniments in the orchestra, behind the
scenes, or under the stage. This model opera, in which Mozart
rises on the wing from one beauty to another through long acts,
was completed, as we have seen, within a few weeks, and ever since
has defied the scrutiny of musicians to detect in it the slightest
negligence of style."

In March 1781, Mozart followed the Salzburg court to Vienna, where he
was subjected to such indignity by his patron, as finally to terminate
their connexion. The author of _Idomeneo_ was required to take his
meals at the same table with his grace's valets, confectioner, and
cooks. This was too much, even for Mozart's good-nature; and,
aggravated by the Archbishop's refusal to allow the display of his
talents to the public, gave him courage to insist for his dismissal.

"The step, however, of resigning a pension, and of throwing
himself entirely upon the public for fame and support, was a more
important one than his sanguine imagination and excitement of
feeling permitted him at the time to contemplate. How far his
being an _unappointed_ composer may have hastened the production
of his immortal works, is open to question; but that his life was
sacrificed in struggling against the difficulties in which he was
thereby involved, is beyond a doubt.

"In the absence of any immediate design of a new dramatic
composition, and delighted at the effect which his public
performance on the pianoforte had created at Vienna, Mozart forgot