Read Online 1 - Interrupted Aria by Beverle Graves Myers - Free Book Online

the end of his scarf, sour expression firmly back in place. Orlando beamed at the self-satisfied Adelina, while Caterina smoldered darkly in the background. Crivelli was also regarding Adelina. I searched his eyes and was puzzled to see only a look of muted, resigned compassion.
    Viviani surveyed the wide, empty stage with a frown. In the wings, a few half-painted canvas scenes leaned against a side wall. The backstage area was filled with unfinished towers of machinery that would eventually accomplish miracles of stage magic. Besides my spectacular ascent to the stars, clouds would roll back and forth in the first act, and in the second, Juno would be transported down from the heights of Mt. Olympus to the mortal world represented on stage level.
    “Torani, will this opera be ready to open in ten days’ time?” asked the nobleman.
    “Yes, Excellency, surely,” said the director, taking another swipe at his damp forehead.
    “It doesn’t look like it.”
    “We’ve had problems from the very beginning, Excellency. Singers fall ill, carpenters don’t show up for work, scenery is damaged. You don’t know all the things I’ve had to cope with.”
    “Why have I not been told of this?”
    Torani cleared his throat. “Well, each of the incidents has been fairly minor. Any one of them would be nothing, just the sort of inconvenience that always comes up during preparation for a major production.” He continued in an aggrieved tone, “But this time our luck has been bad all along. I barely get one problem solved when another pops up.”
    “Are you sure it is only luck and not a human agent?” asked Viviani thoughtfully.
    Torani shrugged and spread his hands.
    “Whatever the cause, your job is to solve the problems, and solve them quickly. Work the cast and crew day and night if you have to. I will have a great success, an opera that Venice will talk about for years to come.” Viviani towered implacably over the uneasy little director, but his eyes swept over every one of us.
    “I’ve arranged an occasion that should whet Venice’s appetite for this Revenge of Juno .” Viviani’s frown turned to an expansive smile. “A reception at the Palazzo Viviani two nights hence. Young Tito will be introduced as the next great castrato soprano. He will perform a duet from the opera, the one with the most memorable tune. I want the gondoliers singing it all over Venice by the next morning.”
    Torani scratched his chin. “Caterina and Tito have a very moving duet in the third act. They could have it ready by then.”
    Viviani’s frown returned. “Not Caterina. This is to be a showcase for my two jewels, Tito and Adelina.”
    “But Excellency, their characters don’t have a duet in this opera.”
    “What? Why?” thundered Viviani.
    “I don’t know. Orlando wrote it.” The little director began to sputter. “Here, Martello, tell Signor Viviani why Juno and Arcas have no duet.”
    Orlando rose from the harpsichord and took a deep breath. “The libretto didn’t call for one, Excellency. Those characters aren’t on stage together that much, but there are many other arias and duets which would please your guests. Allow me to choose one.”
    “Are you a composer, Signor Martello?” asked Viviani in a soft, steely voice that made me think of the stilettos his men undoubtedly carried under their jackets.
    “Of course, Excellency.”
    “Then compose . Write a new duet for Tito and Adelina. Make it brilliant, something the likes of which Venice has not heard before.”
    A stubborn look crept over Orlando’s handsome features. For a moment, I wondered if he were actually going to refuse Viviani’s request.
    “Can you do it or not?” The nobleman strode to the edge of the stage and stared down at the composer in the orchestra pit.
    “Yes, Excellency, yes, I can do it.” Orlando was fuming, but he stood very still and looked Viviani in the eye.
    “Splendid. Start at once. You will accompany the singers at the