Act I

Amadeus opens with "savage whispers" that fill the theater. The citizens of Vienna in 1823 his the name "Salieri" and "assassin." Antonio Salieri, an old man, appears in a wheelchair, with his back to the audience. Two venticelli, "purveyors of fact, rumor and gossip throughout the play," hurry in, speaking rapidly about "the whole city. . . talking day and night." Salieri cries out, "Mozart! Pardon your assassin . . . have mercy." The venticelli explain that when Mozart died thirty-two years ago, there was some talk about him being poisoned by Salieri. They wonder why Salieri would do such a thing and why he would confess it now

Salieri asks the audience to be his confessors. He admits His lifelong desire for fame, "yet only in one especial way. Music! Absolute music. . . music is God's art." He longed "to join all the composers who had celebrated his glory through the long...