and Bologna, the coach rattles endlessly on along the old Roman
road, the Via Aemilia that later turns into the Via Flaminia. It is eleven
days before Rome comes into view and an insipid sun offers the
exhausted travellers a half-hearted welcome.
Federico Capranica grants Antonio just one and a half days
to recover from the journey. A whole scheme has been drawn up
for the Venetian priest, taking in rehearsals, invitations and
performances. Naturally, Il Celebre Vivaldi does not have to accept
every single invitation; people can come to the theatre. But still,
Federico has marked with a star those names he considers most
significant; all belong to the oldest families in Rome. According to
Frederico, a small concert here and there will guarantee patronage
and commissions.
Antonio informs Ottoboni that he is back in Rome. By
return comes an invitation to come and dine at the Palazzo della
Cancelleria, which Vivaldi accepts with alacrity. He holds the cardinal
in high esteem, not only for his likeable character, but also for his
great understanding of music and his ability to discuss it with
anthusiasm.
There are no fewer than twenty people around the huge
dining table. In one way, Antonio is disappointed, for he had
naively hoped he would be pending this evening alone with the
cardinal. On the other hand, this company of musicians and
philanthropists soon proves diverse and colourful enough to
provide an entertaining evening, and one upon which fine wine
flows very freely indeed. It is the early hours of the morning before
Vivaldi is deposited at the apartment rented by Capranica for his
Venetian guests. Much against his will, the coachman helps the
priest up the steps and bangs on the door. It is a long while before
anyone answers and by the time they do, Antonio, supported by the
sulky driver, has to all intents and purposes fallen asleep on his
feet against the wall.
A drowsy Giambattista comes personally to the door,
behind him Paolina carrying the candelabra. Shaking his head, the
father tries to sling his son’s arm about his neck, but Antonio is a
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