Shaffer, Peter: 1926-2016

Amadeus, 1979 - Information about the Book

General Information | Facts | Author | Articles

General Information
- The play had its first performance at the Royal National Theatre, London in 1979, then moved to Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End followed by a Broadway production.
- The play, brought to life with the music of Mozart, is a tale of jealousy and betrayal…and perhaps even murder.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
Facts
- Awards:
  
  Some of the most notable awards are:
  Tony Awards: Best Play (1981)
  Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Play (1981)
  Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Best Play (1980)
  Laurence Olivier Awards: Best New Play (1981)
  Outer Critics Circle Awards: Outstanding Broadway Play (1981)
  New York Drama Critics' Circle: Best Play (1981)
  Developed by AI
- Characters
- Topics
  
  Artistic Genius and Mediocrity
  The central conflict revolves around the contrast between the divine musical genius of Mozart and the mediocre talents of Salieri. It examines the question of why God bestows immense talent on some while denying it to others. Salieri's jealousy and obsession with destroying Mozart's success stems from his inability to reconcile Mozart's prodigious gifts with his own perceived mediocrity.
  Envy and Jealousy
  Salieri's envy and jealousy of Mozart's talents drive the plot and Salieri's descent into madness and villainy. His inability to accept Mozart's superiority leads him to seek revenge through underhanded means, revealing the destructive power of envy.
  
  Faith and the Divine
  The play grapples with questions of faith, God's role in bestowing talents, and humanity's relationship with the divine. Salieri struggles to understand why God would grant such genius to the godless Mozart while denying it to the religious Salieri.
  
  Rivalry and Obsession
  The intense rivalry and Salieri's obsessive hatred of Mozart drive the narrative. Salieri's fixation on ruining Mozart consumes him, leading to his downfall and madness.
  
  Creativity and Genius
  Mozart's effortless creativity and musical brilliance are contrasted with Salieri's labored and mediocre compositions. The play explores the nature of artistic genius and the mysteries behind its origins.
  
  Fame and Legacy
  The play examines the pursuit of fame, legacy, and immortality through art. Salieri's actions are driven by his desire for lasting recognition, which he believes can only be achieved by destroying his rival Mozart.
  
  Developed by AI
- General Perception
  
  "Amadeus" was generally well-received by both critics and audiences.
  Critics praised it for its compelling storytelling, strong character development, and dramatic intensity. The play's exploration of the rivalry between Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was seen as both entertaining and thought-provoking. Shaffer's writing was lauded for its wit, depth, and emotional impact.
  
  "Amadeus" had a significant cultural impact, reigniting interest in Mozart's music and life. It also contributed to a broader appreciation of classical music and its historical context.
  
  Overall, the play "Amadeus" was perceived as a powerful and masterfully crafted drama that combined historical narrative with deep psychological and philosophical insights, earning widespread acclaim and leaving a lasting impact on both theater and popular culture.
  
  Developed by AI
Author
- From an interview Peter Shaffer had with Mike Wood on February 27, 1992 in New York City:
  - The play is not an objective biography.
  - A rewritten ending.
  - Mozart's music.
Articles
- Analysis: "Shaffer allows us to see into the mind and imagination of Salieri as he schemes and plots Mozart’s demise."
- The theological interpretation: "Through Salieri's narration, which is built like a confession, the audience assumes a divine role, because it is asked to judge in God's place."
- The Cain and Abel motive: "Another biblical reference is to Mozart as the Prodigal Son."
- The Christ motive: "The title Amadeus, which can mean "love of God" or "beloved by God", would suggest that Mozart is a metaphorical son of God."
- Psychological and psychoanalytic elements: "The play shows two men of widely differing temperaments linked by a common spiritual bond"
- The conflict of personalities: "There is always a conflict between opposing elements: east and west collide; faithfulness is played against faithlessness, etc."
- The view of the artist: "One aspect of the play is the changing role of the artist in society. "
- Historical authenticity: "The play sometimes diverges from historical facts in order to explore more fundamental and universal human issues and to achieve a dramatic effect. Only on the surface does it appear to be a composer's biography."
- A Feud Between Bitter Rivals: "In the play, Salieri deliberately sabotages Mozart out of jealousy for a gift of a man he regards as amoral. However, there is no historical evidence of anything more than a friendly, artistic rivalry between the two composers." Marija Vucic; August 2, 2021
- Is Amadeus a True Story?: "Mozart’s juvenile humor, as depicted in the film Amadeus, accurately reflects what we find in his real-life letters." The Handel and Haydn Society; August 14, 2024