Shaffer, Peter: 1926-2016

Amadeus, 1979 - Information about the Book

General Information | Facts | Commentaty | Articles

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Destructive Effects of Envy
  Obsession on Genius
  Tension Between Talent, Morality, and Legacy
- The play, brought to life with the music of Mozart, is a tale of jealousy and betrayal…and perhaps even murder. See Summary.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
- Peter Shaffer was inspired to write Amadeus by several factors. He was particularly influenced by Alexander Pushkin’s play Mozart and Salieri, which he supplemented with extensive historical research. Shaffer was intrigued by the contrast between Mozart’s sublime music and the vulgarity of his personal letters, which he described as childlike and puerile. This dichotomy between Mozart’s genius and his immature behavior fascinated Shaffer and became a central theme in the play. Additionally, Shaffer’s lifelong interest in classical music and the dramatic potential of the rumored rivalry between Mozart and Salieri played a significant role in shaping the narrative of Amadeus.
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)
- 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.
Commentary
- Peter Shaffer’s "Amadeus" is a masterful exploration of genius, mediocrity, and the consuming nature of envy. Set in 18th-century Vienna, the play reimagines the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, the court composer. Salieri, a devout Catholic who dedicated his life to music in service of God, becomes tormented by Mozart’s divine talent juxtaposed with his vulgar personality. Unable to reconcile Mozart’s genius with his own perceived mediocrity, Salieri turns against God and orchestrates Mozart’s downfall while maintaining a façade of friendship.
  The play is not a historical account but a “fantasia” blending fact and fiction to explore deeper themes. Through Salieri’s confessional narrative, Shaffer delves into psychological conflicts and theological questions, portraying Salieri as both victim and villain. The use of Mozart’s music as an integral element heightens the emotional impact, while the audience becomes complicit in judging Salieri’s actions.
  
  Ultimately, "Amadeus" is a sophisticated drama that examines the cost of greatness and the destructive power of jealousy.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Drama Review: "The term masterpiece often gets overused into banality in our society. Applying it to Amadeus would be underutilizing it." Kevin Stephany
- A Feud Between Bitter Rivals: "The article gives a moderately informative overview focusing on the Salieri–Mozart rivalry, but it mainly retells well‑known themes." Marija Vucic; August 2, 2021
- Genius or Gimmick?: "The article gives a clear, personal take that references Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus and its later screen adaptation, highlighting some thematic context and the work’s reception, but it is more opinion‑driven than deeply analytical." The Cross-Eyed Pianist; January 4, 2026
- A Critical Analysis: "The article offers a moderately informative scholarly analysis with a specific focus on the theme of artistic inspiration (especially theological perspectives on divine creativity), but it does not serve as a broad or comprehensive critical study of the play as a whole." Sage Journals Home; May 31, 2019
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Analysis: "The article provides a deep structural and thematic breakdown of Amadeus, going well beyond a simple plot summary by detailing storyform elements (throughlines, character motivations, themes, outcomes, etc.)."