Salieri Teases Cavalieri About Mozart, Explained：made me mute

...and then made me mute. Why?

Salieri's charge against God: He gave him the longing to make music but not the gift, so Salieri is 'mute.' The question is less a request for an answer than an accusation.

Only talent interests a woman of taste.

Katerina's answer to being warned that Mozart is ugly: she doesn't care about looks, only about talent. It's a polite way of saying she isn't as shallow as Salieri assumes — and a quiet compliment to the composer.

Looks and talent don't always go together,Katerina.

Said right after 'You might be disappointed,' it means beauty and ability rarely arrive together — so expect an ordinary-looking genius. In context it's both a warning about Mozart and a jab at the idea that Katerina cares about looks.

My hairdresser said everything this year's going to be Turkish.

Katerina's way of judging the new piece: her hairdresser told her Turkish style is the fashion this year, so she calls the music 'Turkish.' A joke about taste that follows whatever is stylish rather than what is good.

Well,I heard you met "Herr Mozart".

Katerina opens the gossip: she has heard Salieri has met Mozart — 'Herr Mozart,' with a hint of mock formality. It's the line that turns the lesson into a conversation about the rival Salieri can't stop thinking about.