Amadeus

Thrilling!

I'm surprised no one mentioned this, but at the back of the book, there is the score for the transformation of Salieri's welcome march to Mozart's "Non Piu Andrai". It's a delightful little supplement.

I haven't yet seen the play, but upon reading the script it seems like it would be very good on stage. I always enjoy plays that give a new take on historical figures. Even if it's not accurate, it's really fun for someone who doesn't know much about Motzart to see him given a life and personality on the stage. 4 stars instead of 5 for its innacuracy, but still a decent read!

Amadeus, in my opinion, is Shaffer's masterpiece. Shaffer explores the familiar theme of man versus God at a new depth, but it is his treatment of the theme of mediocrity that gives this play its true bite. I find myself in this play and my guess is that you will too. Much like court composer Antonio Salieri, I am good at what I do and I am grateful that I have been endowed with the ability to excel professionally. Still, I am the not best (no matter how much I wish it for myself.) I am, however, blessed or cursed , depending on your perspective, with the ablity to recognize someone who has been given that special gift just as Antonio Salieri realizes the incredible musical talents of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Being truthful, like Salieri, I too can grow jealous, especially when I must work hard at something that comes so easily to someone gifted.Traveling with Antonio Salieri as he deals with his own talents in the face of Mozart's is a rich, rewarding experience. It is a pleasure I urge you not to deny yourself and I promise that the play offers a much deeper character study than the film. If I had the option to give this 10 stars, I would. It is truly a masterpiece of late twentieth century theatre.

Shaffer illustrates an incredible conflict in Amadeus, alltogether permeated by the dark themes of jealousy, hatred, and death. Showing the apparent mutual exclusivity between intelligence and virtue, the true strength of the play lies inextricably in the character of Court Composer Salieri. It is a testement to the skill of Shaffer that I almost thought Salieri's motive as evil, but perhaps justified. In him I saw myself, striking out at God for his cruelty, for his preferential and exclusive love. Not only the writing but the stage directions are done incredibly well. Everything is as it should be, not a song at an inappropriate time, not a note misplaced. The character of Mozart is best embodied in the performance of Don Giovanni, where Shaffer describes him as "quailing" before the dark and demanding figure of his father. This is a masterpiece of pain and jealousy, timeless and impenetrable plagues of humanity.

I saw the movie first, then the play, then i had to read the book. I am absolutely amazed. It's highly intelligent and clever... The play was just incredible, amazing, and marvelous...i'm in love with shaffer...he's simply tremendous.

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