Amadeus 1980 - Articles Page 13

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. Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realize his sole ambition, to be a great composer. Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri’s envious grasp: Genius.



Since its premiere at the National Theatre in London in 1979, the play has been celebrated worldwide, including notable Broadway runs. It clinched the Tony Award for Best Play in 1981, affirming its profound impact on theatre. The play's revival continued to garner acclaim, with the 1999 production winning a Tony for Best Revival.