Amadeus: A Play by Peter Shaffer (Paperback)

by Peter Shaffer (Author) "VENTICELLO I: I don't believe it..." (more)
Key Phrases: Light Box, Court Composer, Herr Mozart (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From The Washington Post
"Amadeus is a rich theatrical experience you're likely to repeat for many a year." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Peter Shaffer's infalliable instinct for what makes riveting theatre is again demonstrated in his awesomely talented new play Amadeus." -- --Sunday Express

"Shaffer orchestrates this gripping and fascinating conflict with consummate skill and delicious wit." -- --Saturday Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1 edition (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060935499
• ISBN-13: 978-0060935498
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,355 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Speculation, April 27, 2004

By	R. Chaffey "beckahi" (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first became familiar with this story after seeing the movie "Amadeus." The movie made me curious about the facts in the lives of its two main characters, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. While not necessarily factual, this play by Peter Shaffer is an intelligent and fascinating examination of two men's suffering: pain in both mediocrity and genius.

The play is fast-paced and a relatively easy read. Shaffer paints an elaborate picture of both composer's lives during the time in which they lived. Shaffer's portrait of Salieri is richly written, his thoughts are revealed to the reader/audience through direct speeches and sidebars. Characters act as moving set pieces - their dialogue starting or ending as they carry furniture on and off stage to change scenes.

Shaffer's play is an examination into the ruin of both men. Mozart is ruined by his lifestyle and his lack of funding; the citizens and rulers of Vienna find him rude and offensive. They fail to understand the unfamiliar directions his genius is taking the musical world. Salieri is ruined by his fall into mediocrity and obscurity when Mozart arrives in town, the musician blessed by God, and through his plots that lead to Mozart's downfall. While much about the play is based on speculation, it never rings false because of the strong portrayls of each man.

Having just recently seen this version of the play performed, it is obvious why Shaffer struggled with getting the character of Salieri "just right." He finds absolution in his final act - confessing his sins to his created audience, and not to the creator he once yearned to serve.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Play's The Thing, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Peter Shaffer's Amadeus (Paperback)

I first saw this play during its original run on Broadway. I went to see it with my college drama class. I had no idea what to expect. The amazing Ian McKellen played Salieri, and from the moment the play began until the final curtain, I was mesmerized. I skipped the other play we had tickets for and went back to see "Amadeus" again in "standing room". The play is wonderful, yes. But I truly think its ultimate success depends upon the actors playing the roles of Salieri and Mozart. I think the original Broadway cast was a once-in-a-lifetime group, but I'm looking forward to the upcoming Broadway revival. Read the play, and then go see it come to life!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goodness is nothing in the furnace of art, April 24, 2001

By	Winston J. Pennyworth III "wicked emo" (Maaaaaars) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Shaffer's Amadeus (Paperback)

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.