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A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 12m
Peter Shaffer
A blockbuster hit in the West End, on Broadway and on film, Peter Shaffer’s passionately powerful and darkly funny play explores jealousy, genius and mediocrity through the eyes of the genteel composer Antonio Scalieri, a contemptuous rival to the boorish but ingeniously talented young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Image: 2016 National Theatre Production (Marc Brenner)
Winner! Five 1981 Tony Awards, including Best Play Winner! 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play Winner! 1985 Academy Award for Best Film
In the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. With poise and gentility, Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realize his sole ambition – to be a great composer. By contrast, young Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who inexplicably has the one thing beyond Salieri’s envious grasp: genius. Looking back on his history with Mozart, an aged Salieri explores themes of vengeance, jealousy, genius and mediocrity. This lauded play – winner of multiple Tony and Academy Awards – is a darkly funny drama filled with passion, ambition, rivalry and inspiration.
Amadeus premiered at the National Theatre in London in November 1979. Directed by Peter Hall, the production featured Paul Scofield as Salieri, Simon Callow as Mozart and Felicity Kendal as Constanze. This production transferred to Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End, starring Frank Finlay as Salieri. The play premiered on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on 17 December 1980. Again directed by Hall, the Broadway production featured Ian McKellen, Tim Curry and Jane Seymour. A 1984 film adaptation, directed by Miloš Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce and Elizabeth Berridge, earned eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
ANTONIO SALIERIWOLFGANG AMADEUS MOTZARTCONSTANZE WEBER – Wife to MozartJOSEPH II – Emperor of AustriaCOUNT JOHANN KILIAN VON STRACK – Groom of the Imperial ChamberCOUNT FRANZ ORSINI-ROSENBERG – Director of the Imperial OperaBARON GOTTFRIED VAN SWIETEN – Prefect of the Imperial LibraryTWO “VENTICELLI” – “Little Winds,” purveyors of information, gossip and rumourMAJOR-DOMOSALIERI'S VALET – Non-speakingSALIERI'S COOK – Non-speakingTERESA SALIERI – Wife of Salieri, non-speakingKATHERINA CAVALIERI – Salieri’s pupil, non-speakingGUISEPPE BONNO – Non-speakingSERVANTS and CITIZENS OF VIENNA
Vienna in November 1823 and, in recall, the decade 1781-1791.
“Triumphant… angry and thrilling.” – The New York Times
“A total iridescent triumph of complexity of thought, emotion and dramatic power.” – New York Post
“Inspired.” – Toronto Star
“Mozart blazes.” – The New York Times
“Brilliant and excellent.” – WABC-TV
“A theatrical wonder.” – WCBS-TV
“Back in town and very welcome... highly theatrical... it contains technical skill with a genuine sense of rage.” – The Guardian
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
Mystery, Memory and Music in Peter Shaffer’s Amadeusby Andy Knight June 15, 2016
Director’s Notes: Kent Nicholson Talks About Amadeusby Tania ThompsonJune 16, 2016
Amadeus – 2016 National Theatre Production Trailer
Amadeus – “Composers are Extraordinary” Scene from the 2015 National Theatre Production
Amadeus – Steppenwolf Theatre Company Trailer
Amadeus – Steppenwolf Production Audience Responses
Playwright Peter Shaffer on Mozart’s Music
Amadeus – Cleveland Play House Trailer
Sir Peter Shaffer, in full, Sir Peter Levin Shaffer (1926-2016), was a British playwright of considerable range who moved easily from farce to the portrayal of human anguish.
Educated at St. Paul’s and Trinity College, Cambridge, Shaffer first worked for a music publisher and ...
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