Paternal Advice — And A Response

Let me suggest that in your work you think not only of the musical cognoscenti but also of those listeners who are unmusical. You know that there are 100 unmusical listeners for every 10 connoisseurs; so don't forget to bring in the so-called popular style, which tickles the long ears.

—Leopold Mozart, in a letter to his son, Wolfgang Amadeus, 11 December 1780

Mon trés cher Pére!

As far as the so-called Popular Style is concerned, don't worry about it. In my opera [Idomeneo] you'll find music for every kind of listener — except for those with the long ears.

—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in an answering letter to his father, Leopold, 16 December 1780