Vivaldi clears his throat quietly and waits for the
ambassador to emerge from his reverie.
‘Gorgeous, that light,’ remarks Jacques-Vincent in soft,
warm tones, ‘just there, as it strokes the façades and roofs and is
reflected in the windows and the water.’ His hands follow his
words, caressing like sunbeams the contours of Venice, almost
feminine in his tenderness of expression. ‘The Venetians are greatly
privileged to live in such a place,’ he adds with deference.
‘Monseigneur Vivaldi,’ the ambassador raises his voice, looking for
the first time directly at the priest, ‘I have received extremely good
references recommending you as composer of music for the
embassy, should I so desire.’
De Gergy indicates the violin-case that a servant has taken
from Vivaldi and set down nearby. ‘To ask you to play for me would
be to cast doubt upon the integrity of my references. But might I
invite you to provide an interesting programme for myself and a
few guests this coming Sunday; in the role, of course, of composer
to the French ambassador? I am quite confident we shall arrive at
an amicable arrangement qua conditions.’
Without awaiting an answer, Jacque-Vincent Languet de
Gergy’s gaze returns outside.
‘Your most humble and devoted servant.’ Vivaldi bids the
count farewell and follows the servant to the secretary’s office,
where His Excellency’s right-hand man makes him an offer so
generous that the priest would not dream of disputing it.
Reclining voluptuously in the cushions of the homeward-
bound gondola, Antonio reflects on the unprecedented ease with
which he has signed the contract, and sends his mental
compliments to the ambassador! Venice is indeed the most beautiful
spot on earth, and above it is Vivaldi’s star, still in the ascendant!
Along with his father and two good musician acquaintances,
Vivaldi serves up a varied concert that proves nothing less than
spellbinding to the ears of Languet de Gergy, his wife and their
new friends. Indeed, the cardinal has overdone his praise not one
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