Amadeus

Constanze Mozart visits a suicidal Antonio Salieri to question him. As he tells his story, we go back to 1781, when gifted composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart moves to Vienna, destined for success. Falling in love with soprano Constanze Weber, he soon meets esteemed court composer Salieri, securing his first opera commission from Emperor Joseph II. But when Salieri hears his music, he publicly dismisses Amadeus’ talent, who in turn mocks Salieri’s sexual stiffness. Maddened, Salieri then vows to kill Mozart.

Salieri continues his confession to Constanze. Back in 1782, the Mozarts marry and have a baby, but Amadeus cannot communicate with Constanze or compose a Mass for their newborn. After Salieri fails to coerce Constanze into bed, in exchange for the pupillage of Princess Elizabeth, he tells her of her adulterous husband. Whilst trying to make peace with his father in Salzburg, Amadeus hears of his infant son’s death. Grief-stricken, Amadeus finishes the Mass, and Salieri declares war on God.

Grief-stricken, the Mozarts are barely communicating with each other, whilst Salieri is promoted and assumes more power to pull the strings against Amadeus’ success. Receiving another commission, Amadeus is inspired by a contentious banned book, leaving Vienna and Constanze, to compose in secret. As war brews, Salieri plants a spy on the Mozarts – a handsome composer who Constanze falls for. He then organises a riot at Amadeus’ opening night and Constanze is nowhere to be seen. Amadeus is coming apart.

Constanze flatly rejects Salieri’s confession. Returning to 1788, Amadeus debuts ‘Don Giovanni’, inspired by his father’s death. But whilst fighting his grief, Constanze leaves Amadeus for her lover. Deciding to finally seal Amadeus’ fate, Salieri shuts down Mozart’s opera, pursuing him to a cheap vaudeville playhouse he is now forced to work in, setting him up for yet another failure. Receiving his final commission of a Requiem Mass from a menacing masked figure, Amadeus faces his deathly deadline.