noon
The next morning , after mass , Barbara went to the rehearsal , and returned in a very joyous mood with the tidings that the Emperor wished to hear her about noon . But this time her father wanted to forbid her taking part in the performance , and Wolf had not found it easy to make him understand that this would insult and offend his Majesty . The dispute was by no means ended when the little Maltese summoned her to the New Scales . Wolf accompanied her only to the Haidplatz , for he had been called to the Town Hall on business connected with his inheritance ; but Barbara learned in the room assigned to the musicians that the noon performance had just been countermanded , and no special reason had been given for the change . The leader of the orchestra had been accustomed to submit to the sovereign 's arrangements as unresistingly as to the will of higher powers , and Barbara also restrained herself . True , wrath boiled and seethed in her breast , but before retiring she only said briefly , with a seriousness which revealed the contempt concealed beneath : `` You were quite right , Maestro Appenzelder . The Emperor considered my voice nothing unusual , and nothing else is fit for the august ears of his Majesty .