excommunication for the entire city, but no Venetian has ever
bothered his head on that account. The gondola bounces softly
against the quay next to the bridge. Vivaldi pays the gondolier,
steps ashore and looks about him. Extraordinary that he’s never
been here before.
Everything is dead quiet. A single gull wings its way
noiselessly over the great square, spread out like a blanket before
the great cathedral. The doors of the palace straight ahead are
closed, but through the windows, by the glimmering light of
chandeliers, he can just discern the movement of silhouetted
figures. The sudden tolling of the campanile bell breaks the silence,
making Vivaldi start. Crossing the square, he bangs with the
bronze knocker on the palace door. Almost directly the door is
opened and the priest steps inside. To his astonishment, rather
than being kept waiting he is ushered through immediately.
The Nuncio Apostolico looks severely down upon the priest
kneeling before him in greeting. The papal ambassador is in no
mood for formalities.
‘I bear a message for you from His Eminence Tomaso
Ruffo, Cardinal of Ferrara.’
Bemused, Vivaldi stares at the Nuncio.
‘I must inform you that until further notice you are
forbidden entry to the city of Ferrara.’ Vivaldi cannot believe his
ears. ‘What is this, what are you telling me?’ He feels his chest
tightening painfully, so that he has to fight for air. ‘There must be
some mistake. I have to be in Ferrara in two weeks to lead the
theatre, to do my work. This is surely a misunderstanding!’
The papal ambassador shakes his head forbiddingly.
‘But why, in God’s name, why? What reason is there?’
The Nuncio rubs his chin. ‘His Eminence deeply
disapproves of priests who no longer adhere to their devotions,
who no longer take Mass, who concern themselves with public
entertainment, who conduct relations with not just one, but several
women. In short, priests who behave like out and out heretics.’
Outraged and incredulous Vivaldi listens to the list of
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