Lady Fortune is now smiling upon the Vivaldis, so that it
comes as some surprise one fine afternoon to find standing on the
step with his hat in his hand one of the governors of the Ospedale
della Pietà. The Pietà!
What with one thing and another, it is a long time since
Giambattista has given it a moment’s thought. But the same cannot
be said for Antonio. He often thinks about the Coro. How might
things be going with his pupils?
The Congregazione has become aware of the fact that Don Vivaldi is
attracting bigger and bigger audiences, for they are detracting from
its own listener numbers. The chairman has now decided that
enough is enough and swept from the table all remaining
arguments against him. The result of the vote on twenty-seven
September 1711 is unanimous. Don Antonio Vivaldi is to be
reinstated in the position of Maestro di Viole all’Inglese. With an
increase in salary!
The only remaining question exercising the chairman is
whether the priest will accept the offer. He is not kept long in
suspense; the very same day Antonio shoves everything else aside
and, humming a joyful tune to himself, once more lets fall the
heavy knocker on the door of the Pietà.
The news travels through the corridors like wildfire; Il Prete
Rosso is back!
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