"Because of smallpox," Klacel said with a laugh, then went on to explain. "In 1767 Wolfgang Mozart was a small boy with a large talent. He could play the harpsichord, pianoforte, the violin and goodness knows what else better than most men who had been playing all their lives. His father, recognizing his son's gifts, and knowing how to turn them into gold, took his prodigy on several tours, performing before royalty, dukes and the lesser nobility who could pay."
"Brother Matthew does not favor the nobility," Mendel said by way of explanation, noting Makyatta's shock at the irreverent comments made by Klacel.
"Huh!" snorted Brother Matthew, and continued, "In 1767 the whole Mozart family were in Vienna trying to worm their way into court and into giving a performance for the imperial household, but while they were waiting for an audience, a smallpox outbreak sent them scattering out of the city."
Makyatta shuddered. Smallpox was a killer disease that even when it spared its victims, left them scarred for life. He could just picture the fear that Leopold Mozart must have felt for his family, trapped helpless in Vienna and unable to defend himself or his loved ones.
"So he packed them all into a coach and came here," Klacel went on. "They stayed with Count Franz Anton Schrattenbach, the brother of Salzburg's archbishop, and while they were there, little Mozart performed for his supper."
"They gave several recitals both at the Count's home and when they visited Countess Herberstein," Mendel hurried on.
"But it was Count Schrattenbach's sister who fell in love with what Mozart was playing and asked him to compose something for her. Taking down a book of poetry from the library shelf, the junior genius wrote out this piece of music straight from his head and without a pause. When he finished he handed it to the Countess with a flourish and offered to play it for her."
"Did he?" asked Makyatta.
"I don't know," said Klacel, "I wasn't invited."
"We think so," Mendel interposed hurriedly before his friend became even more hostile. That Brother Matthew did not like the nobility, was dangerous enough in these troubled times without advertising the fact. "Anyway, the book with Mozart's original score stayed with the Schrattenbach family and has become quite valuable over the years."
"So why is it here?" Makyatta asked.
"Because of Sembera," Brother Gregory told him, before Klacel could say anything. "The Prior is on good terms with Monsignor Josef Schrattenbach, and he asked to borrow it several years ago so he could transpose the score and possibly write a libretto."
"The Schrattenbach family are still important around here," Klacel couldn't help adding. "One of the old Count's grandsons is now a personal assistant to Bishop Schaffgotche."
"That's Monsignor Josef Schrattenbach," said Mendel, "he lent Prior Sembera the book with Mozart's score."