Did Salieri kill Mozart?
In 1979, there were the first performances of a play by Peter Shaffer called “Amadeus” which postulated that Antonio Salieri drove Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an early death or even poisoned him. I did not see the play but I did view the 1984 American film “Amadeus” directed by Miloš Forman [see my review here].
This weekend, after 35 years, I finally saw the play. The venue was the Chichester Festival Theatre which has just been the subject of a £22 million refurbishment. “Amadeus” is the first play since the project was completed.
In a fine performance, Rupert Everett played Salieri, while Joshua McGuire was Mozart. In the play, Salieri is the central character as compared to the film. Also, although Shaffer wrote both, the play is ultimately dismissive of the notion of murder while the film seems to give it some credence.
So did Salieri kill Mozart? There is simply no credible evidence as explained here.
July 28th, 2014 at 2:46 am
Sounds like a good performance. I haven’t seen the play or the film. I did sing in the Requiem with the Queensland University Musical Society many years ago, it was a fantastic experience.
In the play, are the actors required to perform on musical instruments or to sing?
Cheers,
Nadine
July 28th, 2014 at 11:28 am
Mozart’s Requiem is a stunning piece of music, Nadine. It must have been wonderful to be part of performing it.
In the play, the actors did not have to play instruments or sing. Recorded music was used at appropriate points.
Best wishes.
Roger