Original subtitles

[intense music]

(Antonio) 'Mozart!'

[music continues]

'Mozart!'

'Forgive your assassin!'

'I confess! I killed you!'

'Truly, I killed you, Mozart.'

'Mea culpa.'

'Piete!'

'Piete, piete! Forgive your assassin!'

'Forgive me, Mozart!'

[knocking on door]

Signore Salieri, open the door. Be good now.

Signore, we have something special for you

something you're going to love.

Mmm.

Is that good?

Ahh. Mmm.

Signore, believe me

this is the most delicious thing

I ever ate in my life.

Really, signore, you don't know what you're miss--

(Antonio) 'Aah!'

[body thudding]

[wind howling]

Alright, that's enough, signore. Open the door.

[Antonio moaning]

Signore, i-if you don't open this door

we're going to eat everything

and we're going to leave nothing for you

and I'm never gonna come and see you again!

[clattering]

[piano key strikes]

[Antonio moaning]

[gasps]

[clanking]

[Antonio moaning]

[grunts]

[intense music]

[thuds]

[groaning]

[clamoring]

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[dog barking in distance]

[instrumental music]

[moaning]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

[door creaking]

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

Quickly! Quickly!

[music continues]

[people screaming]

[grunts]

Good morning, father.

[people clamoring]

[piano music]

[distant screaming]

Herr Salieri.

[music continues]

[sighs]

[music stops]

Leave me alone.

[piano music]

I cannot leave alone a soul in pain.

Do you know who I am?

That makes no difference.

All men are equal in God's eyes.

Are they?

Offer me your confession.

'I can offer you God's forgiveness.'

How well are you trained in music?

I know a little.

I-I studied it in my youth.

Where?

Here, in Vienna.

Ah, then you must know this.

[piano music]

(Vogler) 'I can't say that I do.'

What is it?

It was a very popular tune in its day.

I wrote it.

Here, how about this?

[piano music]

This one brought down the house when we played it first.

[operatic singing]

[applause]

Well?

I regret it is not too familiar.

Can you recall no melody of mine?

I was the most famous composer in Europe.

I wrote 40 operas alone.

Here.

What about this one?

[piano music]

♪ Pom pom-pom ♪

♪ Pom pom pom pom pom pom ♪

♪ Pom-pom pom-pom-pom param-pom ♪

♪ Pom-pom-pom param-pom ♪

♪ Pom-pom-pom param-pom ♪

♪ Pom-pom-pom-pom parara-pom parara-pom ♪♪

Yes, I know that.

Oh, that's charming.

I'm sorry. I didn't know you wrote that.

I didn't.

That was Mozart.

Wolfgang..

...Amadeus Mozart.

The man you accuse yourself of killing.

You've heard that?

Is it true?

[chair creaking]

For God's sake, my son..

...if you have something to confess

'do it now.'

Give yourself some peace.

He..

...was my idol.

[piano music]

Mozart.

I can't think of a time

when I didn't know his name.

I was still playing childish games

when he was playing music for kings and emperors

even the Pope in Rome.

[music continues]

I admit I was jealous

when I heard the tales they told about him.

Oh, not of the brilliant little prodigy

but of his father who had taught him everything.

My father, he did not care for music.

When I told him

how I wished I could be like Mozart, he would say

"Why? Do you want to be a trained monkey?

"Would you like me to drag you around Europe

doing tricks like a circus freak?"

[chuckles]

Oh.

How could I tell him

what music meant to me?

[choir boys singing in Latin]

(Antonio) While my father prayed earnestly to God

to protect commerce..

...I would offer up

secretly..

...the proudest prayer a boy could think of.

Lord, make me a great composer.

Let me celebrate your glory

through music

and be celebrated myself.

Make me famous through the world, dear God.

Make me immortal.

After I die..

...let people speak my name forever

with love for what I wrote.

In return..

...I will give you my chastity..

...my industry..

...my deepest humility

every hour of my life.

Amen.

And do you know what happened?

A miracle!

[Francesco choking]

Francesco! Francesco!

Francesco!

[speaking in Italian]

♪ Amen amen amen ♪

♪ A-men ♪

♪ A-men ♪♪

My life changed forever.

'Of course I knew God had arranged it all.'

That was obvious.

One-one minute I was a frustrated boy

in an obscure little town.

The next, I was here..

...in Vienna

city of musicians

and Emperor Joseph, the musical king.

In a few years, I was his court composer.

Isn't that incredible?

Night after night, I sat right next

to the emperor of Austria playing duets with him

correcting the royal sight-reading.

Actually, the man had no ear at all..

...but what did it matter?

He adored my music.

Everybody liked me.

I liked myself..

'...until he came.'

He came to Vienna to play some of his music..

...at the residence of his employer

the prince archbishop of Salzburg.

[instrumental music]

Eagerly, I went there to seek him out.

And that night..

...changed my life.

As I wandered through the salon

I played a little game with myself.

This man had written his first concerto

at the age of four.

His first symphony at seven

a full-scale opera at 12.

Did it show?

Is talent like that

written on the face?

Which one of them..

...could he be?

[woman screams]

[woman laughing]

[music continues]

Ah.

[door creaking]

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

[door opens]

[woman giggling]

[door slams]

[door opens]

[music continues]

[door closes]

- Ha ha ha! - Aah! No!

[groaning]

[indistinct whispering]

Mozart is not here.

Aah! No!

- Stop it. - 'I am.'

- Stop it! - I am, I am stopping it.

- 'Stop it!' - 'I am.'

- Stop it! - I am, I am, I am stopping it.

Slowly. There, you see?

'I've stopped.'

Now, we're going back.

- No! No! - Yes, yes.

Listen, you don't know where you are.

Here everything goes backwards.

People walk backwards

and dance backwards, and sing backwards

and even talk backwards.

- That's stupid. - Why?

People fart backwards.

Oh, ha ha ha.

[braying laugh]

Say I'm sick.

Say I'm sick.

Yes, you are. You're very sick.

No. Say it backwards, shit wit.

- Say I'm sick. - Say I'm sick?

- Say I'm sick. - Sick..

'Kiss I'm, my..'

Say..

Kiss my ass.

- You dirty.. - Emiram. Emiram.

- No. I'm not playing this game. - Just say it.

- It's serious. Emiram. - No!

Say it. You'll see. It's very serious.

- 'Emiram?' - 'Yeah.'

Iram..

Marry..

Marry me.

No. I'm not gonna marry you.

You're a fiend.

Uoy evol I tub.

Uoy evol I tub.

Tub?

'But I..'

Evol..

Love.

But I love you.

- 'Tish I'm tee.' - 'What?'

Tish I'm tee.

Tish I'm tee..

Tee..

- ...eat. - Eat.

I'm..

- My. - My.

Tish.. Eat my shit.

You filthy fiend!

- You filthy, filthy-- - Shh, shh.

[operatic music]

My music.

'They've started without me.'

[door opens]

[music continues]

Excuse me.

[operatic music]

[music continues]

That...was Mozart.

That..

That giggling, dirty-minded creature

I'd just seen crawling on the floor.

[audience applauds]

I think that went off remarkably well, don't you?

Indeed.

These Viennese certainly know good music

when they hear it, don't you think?

Certainly.

Your grace.

Ah, Mozart.

'Why?'

Why what, sir?

Why do I have to be humiliated

in front of my guests by one of my own servants?

'The more license I allow you'

'the more you take.'

If His Grace is not satisfied with me

he can dismiss me.

I wish you to return immediately to Salzburg.

Your father is waiting for you there patiently.

No, Your Grace, I mean, with all humility

'I would prefer you dismissed me.'

It's obvious I don't satisfy.

I have no intention of dismissing you.

You will remain in my service

and learn your place.

[thuds]

[audience applauds]

[thuds]

[audience applauds]

[women laughing]

(Antonio) On the page, it looked nothing..

...the beginning simple

almost comic.

Just a pulse..

...bassoons..

...basset horns

like a rusty squeezebox.

[chuckles]

And then suddenly

high above it..

...an oboe.

[operatic music]

A single note hanging there unwavering..

...until a clarinet took it over..

...sweetened it into a phrase of such delight.

[sighs]

This was no composition by a performing monkey.

This was a music I had never heard..

...filled with such longing

such unfulfillable longing.

It seemed to me that I was hearing the voice of God.

(Mozart) Excuse me.

(Antonio) But why?

Why would God choose an obscene child

to be his instrument?

He's remarkable, Majesty.

I heard an extraordinary serious opera

of his last month, Idomeneo, king of Crete.

That?

A most tiresome piece. I heard it, too.

Tiresome?

A young man trying to impress

beyond his abilities.

Too much spice

too, um..

...too many notes.

Majesty, I thought it the most promising work

I've heard in years.

Well, then we should make some effort to acquire him.

We could use a good German composer in Vienna, surely.

I'm sure he could be tempted with the right offer

say, um..

...an opera in German for our national theater.

Excellent, sire.

But not German

'I beg Your Majesty.'

Italian is the proper language for opera.

All educated people agree on that.

Mm-hmm.

What do you think, chamberlain?

In my opinion, sir

it's time we had a piece in our own language.

Plain German for plain people.

Mm-hmm.

Kappelmeister?

Majesty, um, I must agree with herr direttore.

'German is..'

...scusate..

...too brutal for singing.

Mm-hmm.

Court composer..

'...what do you think?'

I think it's an interesting notion

to keep Mozart in Vienna, Majesty.

It should really infuriate the archbishop beyond measure

'if that is Your Majesty's intention.'

You are cattivo, court composer.

[all laughing]

I want to meet this young man.

Chamberlain, arrange a pleasant welcome for him.

Well, there it is.

[piano music]

[piano music]

[sighs]

Grazie, signore.

[paper rustling]

Aye-aye-aye, this is just a beautiful wig for you.

This looks so marvelous and I love it.

The other one.

Here's the other one.

I think you will love it.

Here's the third one.

So, here we go.

How do you like it?

They're all so beautiful.

Why don't I have three heads?

[laughs]

[laughs] This is funny.

Three heads, ah!

Ah, gentlemen, good morning.

- Good morning, Your Majesty. - Good morning, Your Majesty.

Well..

What do you have for me today?

Your Majesty, Herr Mozart.

Yes, what about him?

He's here.

Aha!

Well, there it is. Good.

Your Majesty, I hope you won't find it improper

but I've written a little march of welcome in his honor.

What a charming idea, court composer.

May I see?

It's just a, just a trifle, of course.

May I try it?

Majesty.

Let's have some fun.

[piano music]

Delightful, court composer.

May I play it when he comes in?

You do me too much honor, sire.

Bring in Herr Mozart, please.

But slowly, slowly.

I need a minute to practice.

[chuckling]

[piano music]

(Antonio) 'C.'

'Hmm. C.'

'Good. Continue.'

[humming]

G, Majesty.

[humming]

'Excellent.'

[humming]

Very good.

Very good, Majesty.

[humming]

Tempo. Up.

Lightly, then strongly.

It's a march, Majesty. March.

Again.

[humming]

[thuds]

[piano music]

[music continues]

Bravo, Majesty.

Gentlemen.. Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.

Less enthusiasm, I beg you.

Ah..

Mozart.

Majesty.

Uh, no. Please, please.

[chuckles] It's not a holy relic.

[laughing]

You know, we have met before in this very room.

Perhaps you don't remember it. You were only six years old.

He was giving the most delightful concert here.

As he got off the stool, he slipped and fell.

My own sister, Antoinette, helped him up.

And you know what he did?

He jumped into her arms and said

"Will you marry me, yes or no?"

[laughing]

You know all these gentlemen, I'm sure.

The Baron van Swieten.

I'm a great admirer of yours, young man.

Oh, thank you.

Kappelmeister Bonno.

- Signore. - My pleasure.

The director of our opera, Count Orsini Rosenberg.

Oh, sir, yes, the honor is mine.

Absolutely.

And here..

is our illustrious court composer

Maestro Salieri.

At last.

Such immense joy. Diletto straordinario.

I know your work well, signore.

Do you know I-I actually composed

some variations on a melody of yours?

Oh. Really? Which one?

(Mozart) 'Mio Caro Adone.'

Well, I'm flattered.

A funny little tune

but it yielded some good things.

And now he has returned the compliment.

Herr Salieri composed this little march of welcome for you.

Really? Oh, grazie, signore.

Sono commosso.

Well, there it is. Now, down to business.

Young man..

...we're going to commission an opera from you.

'What do you say?'

Majesty.

Uh, did we vote in the end

for German or Italian?

Well, actually, sire, if you remember

we did finally incline to Italian.

- 'Oh.' - Did we?

I don't think it was really decided

'Your Majesty.'

Oh. German.

German, please, let it be German.

Why so?

Because I've already found

the most wonderful libretto.

Oh?

Have I seen it?

I, uh..

I don't think you have, Herr Director.

Not yet. I mean, it's quite new.

I'll show it to you immediately, of course.

I think you'd better.

Well, uh..

...tell us about it, tell us the story.

Well, it's quite amusing, Majesty.

Uh, it..

I-it's set the..

...the whole thing is set in, in, in a, in a..

[laughs]

Yes? Where?

In a harem, Majesty.

In a seraglio.

You mean in Turkey?

Yes, exactly.

Then why especially does it have to be in German?

Well...it doesn't especially.

It could be in Turkish, if you really want.

[laughs]

(Baron Van Swieten) 'Oh, my dear fellow'

the language is not finally the point.

Do you really think that subject is quite appropriate

for a national theater?

Why not? It's charming.

'I mean, I-I-I won't actually show'

concubines exposing their, their..

[laughs] It's not indecent.

It's highly moral, Majesty.

It's-it's-it's full of proper German virtues.

Excuse me, Majesty, but..

...what do you think these could be?

Being a foreigner, I would love to learn.

Well...tell him, Mozart.

Name us a German virtue.

- Love, sire. - Oh, love.

Well, of course, in Italy we know nothing about love.

[all laughing]

No, I don't think you do.

I mean, watching Italian opera

all those male sopranos screeching.

Stupid, fat couples rolling their eyes about.

That's not love. It's-it's-it's just rubbish.

[laughing]

(Mozart) 'Majesty..'

...you choose the language.

It'll be my task to set it to the finest music

ever offered a monarch.

Well, there it is. Let it be German.

Oh...this is yours.

Keep it, Majesty, if you want. It's already here in my head.

What?

On one hearing only?

I...think so, sire. Yes.

Show us.

[piano music]

The rest is just the same, isn't it?

That doesn't really work, does it?

Did you try?

Shouldn't it be a bit more..

...or this? This?

Yes.

Better? What do you think?

[piano music]

[chuckles]

[music continues]

[laughing]

Grazie, signore.

(Antonio) All I ever wanted

was to sing to God.

He gave me that longing

and then made me mute.

Why?

'Tell me that.'

If he didn't want me to praise him with music

why implant the desire..

...like a lust in my body..

...and then deny me the talent?

[door opens]

Madame Cavalieri is here for her lesson, sir.

Maestro.

'Well?'

How do you like it?

[laughs]

It's Turkish.

My hairdresser says that everything

this year is going to be Turkish.

[laughs] Oh, does he?

'What else..'

'What else did he tell you today?'

Come, come, come, come. Give me some gossip.

Well, I heard you met Herr Mozart.

News travels fast in Vienna.

And he's been commissioned to write an opera.

Is it true?

Yes.

Is there a part in it for me?

No.

How do you know?

Do you know where it's set, my dear?

Where?

In a harem.

What's that?

A brothel.

Ohh.

Come.

Let's begin.

[piano music]

What does he look like?

Mozart?

You might be disappointed.

Why?

Looks and talent

don't always go together, Katerina.

[chuckles] Looks don't concern me, maestro.

Only talent interests a woman of taste.

Well, shall we continue?

[piano music]

[singing notes]

[singing aria]

[operatic music]

There she was.

I don't know where they met or how.

There she stood..

...on stage for all to see

showing off like the greedy songbird she was.

♪ Hurt me ♪

♪ Break me kill me ♪

♪ At last I shall be freed by death ♪

♪ At last ♪

♪ At last I shall be freed by death ♪

♪ At last I shall be freed by death ♪

♪ At last ♪

♪ I shall be freed ♪

♪ Ah-ahh-ahh ♪

Ten minutes of ghastly scales

arpeggios, whizzing up and down

like fireworks at a fairground.

♪ By death ♪♪

[operatic music]

You understand, I was in love with the girl.

Or at least in lust.

But I swear to you, I never laid a finger on her.

Mmm..

All the same.

I couldn't bear to think of anyone else touching her

least of all...that creature.

[operatic music]

♪ Pasha Selim ♪

♪ May he live forever ♪

♪ Forever may he live forever ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name ♪

♪ May his noble brow emblazon ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame glory fortune joy and fame ♪

♪ Pasha Selim live forever ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name honor to his regal name ♪

♪ May his noble brow emblazon ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame glory fortune joy and fame ♪

♪ Pasha Selim live forever honor to his regal name ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name ♪

♪ Pasha Selim ♪

♪ Live forever ♪

♪ Forever may he live forever ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name ♪

♪ Honor to his regal name ♪

♪ May his noble brow emblazon ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame may his noble brow emblazon ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame ♪

♪ Glory fortune joy and fame ♪

[audience cheering]

Push.

Push.

Push.

Bravo.

Ah. Brava, madame.

You are an ornament to our stage.

[audience applaud]

Your Majesty.

[applause]

Well, Herr Mozart

'a good effort.'

Oh, well, decidedly that.

An excellent effort.

You have shown us something..

...quite new tonight.

It is new. It is, isn't it, sire?

Yes, indeed.

So, then, you liked it, you..

'you really liked it, sire.'

Well, of course I did. It's very good.

Of course, now and then, j-j-just now and then

it, it...it seemed a touch, um..

What do you mean, sire?

Well, I mean, uh..

...occasionally it seems to have, uh..

Oh, how shall one say? Um..

How shall one say, director?

Too many notes, Your Majesty?

Exactly. Very well put.

Too many notes.

I don't understand.

There are just as many notes, Majesty, as are required.

Neither more nor less.

Well, my dear fellow, there, there are, in fact

only so many notes the ear can hear

in the course of an evening.

I-I think I'm right in saying that

aren't I, court composer?

Yes. Yes.

On the whole, yes, Majesty.

This is absurd.

(Emperor Joseph) 'My dear young man, don't take it too hard.'

Your work is ingenious. It's quality work.

And there are simply too many notes. That's all.

Just cut a few, and it'll be perfect.

Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?

(Frau Weber) 'Wolfgang!'

'Wolfgang, my dear!'

Wolfgang!

Majesty, this is Frau Weber.

She's my landlady.

Enchanted, madame.

Ohh.

Sire...such an honor.

'And, and..'

This is my dear daughter Constanze.

She's the fiancee of Herr Mozart.

Really?

[chuckles]

How charming.

Please.

[tapping]

[people laughing]

Well..

'When do you marry?'

Well..

Well, we-we-we-we haven't exactly received

my father's consent yet, not, not entirely.

Not altogether.

[laughs]

Excuse me, but, um..

...how old are you?

Twenty-six.

Well, my advice is for you to marry

this charming young lady

'and stay with us in Vienna.'

You see? You see?

I told him that, Your Majesty

but he won't listen to me.

Oh, Your Majesty, you give such wonderful

such, oh, royal advice.

I.. May I?

[crowd gasps]

Well.. There it is.

Let's walk.

Wolfie, will you get some water?

[chuckles]

Will you get some water, please?

[gasps] Aah!

(Salieri) At that moment, I knew.

He'd had her.

The creature had had my darling girl.

[sighs]

It was incomprehensible.

What was God up to?

My heart was filling up..

...with such hatred for that little man.

For the first time in my life

I began to know really..

...violent thoughts.

No, I won't have him back.

But, Your Grace, I assure--

Your son is an unprincipled, spoiled, conceited brat.

Yes, sir. That, um..

That is the truth.

'But don't blame him.'

'The fault is mine..'

'...entirely.'

'I was too indulgent with him.'

Please, Your Grace..

Give him one more chance.

You have leave to try.

Oh, God bless you, Grace.

I thank Your Grace.

I thank you.

[thuds]

[instrumental music]

(Leopold) I write to you with urgent news.

I am coming to Vienna.

Take no further steps towards marriage

until we meet.

As you honor the father

who has devoted his entire life to yours

do as I bid

and await my coming.

[choir singing in Latin]

(priest) 'I now join you in the holy bonds of matrimony.'

Those whom God hath joined together

let no man put asunder.

In nomine patri

et filii et spiritu sancti.

[choir continues singing]

(Amadeus) Most beloved father, remember how you told me

Vienna is the city of musicians

to conquer here is to conquer Europe?

With my wife, I can do it.

And one day soon when I'm a wealthy man

you will come live with us, and we'll be so happy.

[crumpling]

[galloping]

Good morning, court composer.

This is my niece, the Princess Elizabeth.

Your Highness.

She has asked me to advise her

on a suitable musical instructor.

I think I've come up with an excellent idea.

Oh, Your Majesty

it would be such a tremendous honor.

I was thinking of Herr Mozart.

What is your view?

[birds chirping]

It's an interesting idea, Majesty, but..

Yes?

My concern..

...is to protect you from..

...any hint of favoritism.

A-ha!

Favoritism.

What is this, Herr Chamberlain?

What is what?

Why must I submit samples of my work

to some stupid committee

just to teach a 13-year-old girl?

Because His Majesty wishes it.

- Is the Emperor angry with me? - Quite the contrary.

Then why doesn't he simply appoint me to the post?

Mozart, you are not the only composer in Vienna.

No. But I'm the best.

Mozart..

A little modesty might suit you better.

Who is on this committee?

Kappelmeister Bonno, Count Orsini Rosenberg

and of course court composer Salieri.

Naturally, the Italians. Of course.

Always the Italians.

They're all musical idiots.

And you want them to judge my music.

Young man..

The issue is quite simple.

If you want this position

you must submit your stuff

along with all your colleagues.

Must I?

Mm-hmm.

Well, I won't.

How can I help you?

Frau Mozart?

I've come on behalf of my husband.

I've brought you some samples of his work

so that he can be considered for the royal appointment.

How charming, but, uh..

...why did he not come himself?

Well, he's terribly busy, sir.

Yeah, I understand.

Well, I-I will look at them, of course

the moment I can.

It will be an honor.

Please, uh..

...give him my warmest regards. Mmm.

Would it be too much trouble, sir

to ask you to look at them now while I wait?

(Antonio) 'Oh, I'm-I'm afraid I'm not at leisure'

this, uh, this precise moment.

[chuckles] Just leave them with me.

I assure you, they will be quite safe.

I really cannot do that, sir.

You see..

He doesn't know I'm here.

Then, he didn't send you?

No, sir.

This was my own idea.

I see.

Sir, we're desperate.

We-we really need this job.

My husband spends far more than he can ever earn.

I don't mean he's lazy, 'cause he's not at all.

He works all day long.

[sighs] It's just that..

...he's not practical.

Money simply slips through his fingers.

It's ridiculous.

[inhales] Let me offer you some, uh, some refreshments.

Do you, do you know what these are?

Cappezzoli di venere.

"Nipples of Venus."

[gasps]

They're Roman chestnuts

in brandied sugar.

Try one.

Go on. Try one.

They're quite surprising.

- Mmm-hmm-mmm. - Mmm-hmm-mmm.

They're wonderful.

[chuckles]

Thank you very much, Your Excellency.

Don't keep calling me that.

Keeps me at such a distance.

I wasn't born a court composer, you know.

I'm from a small town.

Just like your husband.

Mmm.

Are you sure you can't..

...leave this and come back again?

That's very tempting, sir.

But it's impossible, I'm afraid.

Wolfgang would be frantic if he found those were missing.

You see, they're all originals.

Originals?

Yes, sir. He doesn't make copies.

These..

...are originals?

Mm-hmm.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[paper rustling]

Astounding.

It was actually, it-it was beyond belief.

These were first and only drafts of music.

But they showed no corrections of any kind.

Not one.

He had simply written down music

already finished in his head

page after page of it

as if he were just taking dictation.

[instrumental music]

And music..

...finished as no music is ever finished.

[woman singing]

Displace one note

and there would be diminishment.

Displace one phrase, and the structure would fall.

It was clear to me.

That sound I had heard in the archbishop's palace

had been no accident.

Here again was the very voice of God.

I was staring through the cage

of those meticulous ink strokes

at an absolute beauty.

[singing continues]

[clattering]

Is it not good?

It is miraculous.

Oh, yes. He's very proud of his work.

So you'll help us?

[door slams]

From now on, we are enemies

you and I.

Because you choose for your instrument

a boastful, lustful, smutty, infantile boy

and give me for reward only the ability

to recognize the incarnation.

Because you are unjust..

[fire crackling]

...unfair..

...unkind..

...I will block you.

I swear it.

I will hinder and harm your creature on earth

as far as I am able.

I will ruin your incarnation.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

[chickens clucking]

[goats bleating]

["Overture to Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]

Papa!

[bottle clatters]

[laughing]

[Amadeus grunts]

You're very thin.

Doesn't she feed you, that wife of yours?

Feed? Of course, she feeds me.

She stuffs me like a goose.

[exclaims]

(Leopold) 'Is she not here?'

(Wolfgang) 'No. She had to help her mother.'

'Yes. She's like that.'

Her mother's a very sweet woman. You'll..

[groans]

[laughing]

I-I didn't know you were home.

Stanzi, this is my father.

We'll wait. We'll wait.

[whispering] Why don't you get up now, my darling?

She's very tired, poor creature.

You know me. I'm such a pig.

'It's not easy cleaning up after me.'

Don't you have a maid?

Oh...no.

We could if we wanted, but Stanzi wouldn't hear of it.

She insists on doing everything herself.

How is your, uh..

...financial situation?

Couldn't be better.

That's not what I hear.

What do you mean?

It's wonderful.

Really. It's-it's-it's-it's marvelous.

People love me here.

They say you have debts.

Who?

Who says that?

That's a malicious lie.

Do you have pupils?

I don't want pupils.

They get in the way.

I have to have time for composition.

Composition doesn't pay. You know that.

That one will.

What's that?

[chuckles] It's a secret.

Ha-ha! Secret.

You don't have secrets from me.

No. No, no, no, no, no, no! Uh..

No, no, no, no, please. I-I-I don't want you to see it.

I don't want anyone to see it

but you're going to be proud of me, papa.

It's going to be the best thing that I've done.

The best thing that any..

Ahh.

[laughing]

There she is.

Look at her. Isn't she beautiful?

[both laughs]

Come on now, papa, confess it.

Could you want a prettier girl for a daughter?

- Stop it, Wolfie. - Hehehe.

I look dreadful.

- Are you, uh, expecting? - Yes, I am.

Isn't it marvelous? We're delighted.

[laughing]

May I offer you some tea, Herr Mozart?

Tea? Who wants tea?

Let's go out.

'This calls for a feast.'

You don't want tea, do you, papa?

- Wolfie. - I know.

Let's go dancing.

Papa loves parties, don't you?

- Wolfie. - What?

How can you be so boring? Tea.

[instrumental music]

Come on, papa.

Here we go.

[laughs]

[laughs]

[shrieking]

[laughter]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

Now!

[indistinct chatter]

I name the penalty.

I name the penalty.

[laughs]

[applause]

And the penalty is..

Give her a good one!

Show us your legs.

[cheering]

[applause]

Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.

[crowd exclaims]

[laughs]

[laughing]

It's just a game, papa.

[music continues]

Thank you.

[applause]

Now!

Aah!

No! No! No! Oh!

[laughing]

Herr Mozart, why don't you name your son's penalty?

Yes, papa. Name it.

Name it. I'll do anything you say.

Anything.

I want you to come back to Salzburg with me, my son.

Papa, the rule is you can only give a penalty

that can be performed in the room.

I'm tired of this game. I don't want to play anymore.

But my penalty. I've got to have a penalty!

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

(master of ceremonies) 'Wolfie! Ha-ha-ha.'

'I'll name a penalty. Come on!'

Up, up, up, up!

'The penalty is'

you shall play our little tune

in the manner of Johann Sebastian Bach.

[piano music]

[indistinct chattering]

[laughing]

Aah! Bravo!

[applause]

(master of ceremonies) 'Now turn him over!'

- 'Turn him over!' - Over?

Now you play it backwards.

[laughter]

Oh!

[indistinct chatter]

[piano music]

[chuckling]

[all cheering]

[applause]

Another one! Another! Give me another one!

Play it like gluck.

- Boring. - 'Another!'

Play Handel.

I don't like him. Another one.

- Play Salieri. - Salieri.

Now, that is a challenge.

That is a challenge.

Please. Please.

[clears throat]

[sighs]

[piano music]

[all cheering]

[all laughing]

[farts]

[all laughing]

[applause]

[laughing]

[chuckles] Go on.

Mock me. Laugh.

[laughing]

[applause]

That was not Mozart laughing, father.

That was God.

That was God laughing at me

through that, through that obscene giggle.

[chuckles]

Go on, signore, laugh. Laugh.

'Show my mediocrity for all to see.'

One day, I will laugh at you.

Before I leave this earth

I will laugh at you.

[blows]

[instrumental music]

Wolfie.

What?

There's a young girl here to see you.

Well, what does she want?

She won't talk to me.

She says she has to speak to you.

[slams] Damn.

Yes?

Are you Herr Mozart?

That's right.

My name is Lorl, sir.

I'm a maidservant.

I was asked to come here and offer my services to you.

They-they'll be paid for by a great admirer of yours

who wishes to remain anonymous.

[chuckles]

Is this your idea, papa?

Mine?

Are you playing a trick on me?

I-I-I've never seen this girl in my life.

Is this some kind of joke?

Not at all, sir.

Young woman, this won't do at all.

My son cannot possibly accept such an offer

no matter how generous, unless he knows who's behind it.

But I really can't tell you that, sir.

This is ridiculous.

What is ridiculous?

Wolfie has many admirers in Vienna.

They love him here.

People send us gifts all the time.

But you cannot possibly accept her without references.

Well, this is none of your business.

Whoever sent you is going to pay, no?

That's right, ma'am.

Oh, splendid.

So now we're gonna to let a perfect stranger into our house.

Who is "we?"

Who is letting who..

Could you please wait outside?

Uh, yes, ma'am.

(Constanze) 'Look, old man, we spend a fortune on you'

'and all you can do is criticize from morning to night.'

- And now You think you can-- - Stanzi!

No! It's right that he should hear.

I'm sick to death of it.

We can't do anything right for you, can we?

You won't have to do anything for me ever again.

I'm leaving.

- No, papa. - 'Oh, don't worry.'

(Leopold) 'I'm not gonna stay here to be a burden to anyone.'

- No one calls you that. - Hmm? She does.

She says I sleep all day.

And so you do.

The only time you come out is to eat.

Well, what do you expect?

Hmm?

Do you expect anyone to walk out

into a mess like this every day?

Oh, so now, I'm a bad housekeeper.

(Leopold) 'So you are. The place is like a pigsty all day.'

'Parties every night. Parties all night.'

[operatic singing]

'Idiot.'

'Dinner?'

'Dinner at 8:00. Dinner at 10:00.'

'Dinner when anybody feels like it.'

'If anybody feels like it.'

Thank you, sir.

Do any pupils come to the house?

Not that I've seen.

Then how does he pay for all this?

Um, does he work at all?

Oh, yes, sir, all day long.

He never leaves the house till evening.

He just sits there writing and writing.

Really?

What is it he's writing?

I wouldn't know that, sir.

Hmm, no, of course not.

You're a good girl.

You're very kind to do this.

The next time you're sure they'll be out of the house..

...let me know.

[piano music]

Thank you, sir.

[horse carriage rattling]

[music continues]

[orchestra music]

[horse carriage rattling]

[music continues]

I think I found out about the money, sir.

Yes? What?

He kept seven snuff boxes in here.

I could swear they were all gold.

And now look.

There's only one left.

Where does he work?

In there, sir.

[instrumental music]

Gentlemen, I...I've just heard some news

that may be of interest to you.

Mm, what?

Mozart is writing a new opera, an Italian opera.

- Italian? - Oh.

That's not all.

He has chosen for his subject, Figaro.

"The Marriage of Figaro."

He's setting that play to music?

Yes.

Uh, what is this, uh, "Marriage of Figaro?"

It's a French play, Kappelmeister.

It has been banned by the Emperor.

- Oh. - You're absolutely sure?

[thump]

- Herr Mozart. - Ah.

Gentlemen, sit down.

Mozart.

Are you aware that I have declared

the French play of "Figaro" unsuitable for our theater?

Yes, sire.

Yet we hear you're making an opera from it.

Is this true?

Who told you this, Majesty?

It is not your place to ask questions.

Is it true?

Well, yes. I..

I admit it is.

Would you tell me why?

Well...Majesty, it is only a comedy.

(Rosenberg) What you think, Herr Mozart, is scarcely the point.

It's what His Majesty thinks that counts.

But, Your Majesty--

Mozart...I am a tolerant man.

I do not censor things lightly.

When I do, I have good reason.

"Figaro.."

...is a bad play.

It stirs up hatred between the classes.

In France, it has caused nothing but bitterness.

My, my own dear sister, Antoinette writes me

that she is beginning to be frightened of her own people.

(Wolfgang) 'Sire, I swear to Your Majesty'

there's nothing like that in the piece.

I've taken out everything that could give offense. I..

I hate politics.

I'm afraid you're rather innocent, my friend.

In these dangerous times

I cannot afford to provoke our nobles or our people

simply over a theater piece.

Majesty, this is-is just a frolic.

It's a piece about love.

Love. Again.

[all chuckling]

And it's new. It's entirely new.

I-it's so new that people will go mad for it.

I have scenes..

Oh!

The end of the second act, for example.

It starts as a simple duet.

Just a husband and a wife quarreling.

Suddenly, the wife's scheming little maid comes in.

It's a very funny situation.

'Duet turns into trio.'

Then the husband's valet comes in.

He-he's plotting with the maid.

Trio turns into quartet.

Then a stupid old gardener comes in.

'Quartet becomes quintet, and so on, on and on and on.'

Sextet, septet, octet.

How long do you think I can sustain that, Majesty?

- I have no idea. - Guess.

Guess, Your Majesty.

Imagine the longest time that such a thing

could be sustained, and then double it.

Well...

...six?

'Seven minutes.'

- Eight minutes? - Twenty, sire. Twenty minutes.

[giggles] Twenty minutes of continuous music.

No recitatives.

[giggles] Sire, only opera can do this.

In a play, i-i-if more than one person

speaks at the same time, i-i-i-it's just noise.

No one can understand a word, but with opera, with music..

With music, you can have 20 individuals

all talking at the same time and-and it's not noise.

It's a perfect harmony.

Mozart, music is not the issue here.

No one doubts your talent.

It's your judgment of literature that's in question.

[sighs]

'Even with the politics taken out'

'this-this thing would still remain a vulgar farce.'

Why waste your spirit on such rubbish?

Surely you...you can choose more elevated themes.

Oh! Elevated. Elevated.

What does that mean, elevated?

I am fed to the teeth with all of these..

...elevated things. Old dead legends.

Why must we go on forever

writing only about gods and legends?

Because they do.

They go on forever.

At least what they represent..

...the eternal in us.

'Opera is here to ennoble us, Mozart'

you and me, just the same as His Majesty.

Bello, Barone. Veramente.

Oh, bello, bello, bello.

Come on, now, be honest.

Which one of you wouldn't rather listen

to his hairdresser than Hercules?

'Or Horatius or Orpheus?'

People so lofty, they sound as if they shit marble.

[gasps]

What?

[giggles]

Govern your tongue, Mozart.

How dare you?

Forgive me, Majesty. I..

[chuckles]

I'm a vulgar man.

But I assure you, my music is not.

You are passionate, Mozart.

But..

...you do not persuade.

[sighs] Sire, the whole opera is finished.

Do you know how much work went into it?

His Majesty has been more than patient, signore.

How can I persuade Your Majesty

if you won't let me show it?

That will do, Herr Mozart.

Just let me tell you how it begins.

'May I just do that, Majesty'

show you how it begins, just that?

Please.

Look...there's a servant down on his knees, and do you know why?

Not from any oppression, no

because he's measuring a space.

'And do you know what for?'

His bed.

His wedding bed, to see if it will fit.

[music on harpsichord]

♪ Cinque ♪

Late.

♪ Dieci ♪

Late.

On the beat.

♪ Venti ♪

(Wolfgang) 'Good.'

♪ Trenta ♪

Yes.

♪ Trenta sei ♪

Yes.

♪ Quaranta tre ♪

♪ Ora si ch'io.. ♪

Early.

♪ Son contenta ♪

♪ Sembra fatto inver per me ♪♪

Well, Mozart is already rehearsing.

In that case, gentlemen, I think..

I think we should help Mozart all we can.

And do our best to protect him against the Emperor's anger.

What anger?

About the ballet.

[scoffs]

What ballet?

Excuse me, but..

...didn't His Majesty specifically..

...forbid the ballet in his opera?

[opera music]

[operatic singing]

Mozart.

Herr Mozart.

Yes?

A word with you, please.

(Wolfgang) 'Certainly, Herr director.'

Now. Now, Herr Mozart.

- Five minutes, please. - Five minutes!

Yes?

Do you not know that His Majesty has expressly

forbidden ballet in his operas?

Yes, but this is not a ballet.

This is a dance at Figaro's wedding.

Exactly. A dance.

Surely, His Majesty didn't mean to prohibit dancing

when it's part of the story, Herr director?

It's dangerous to interpret His Majesty's edicts.

Give me your score, please.

Thank you.

[paper rips]

What are you doing, Herr director?

What are you doing?!

Taking out what you should never

have put in.

[paper rips]

Please.

Please.

- I've no one else to turn to. - Wolfgang, what is it?

It's unbelievable.

The director has actually torn up a huge section of my music.

They say I have to rewrite the opera.

But it's perfect as it is.

I can't..

...rewrite what's perfect.

Please.

Can't you talk to him?

Please?

Why bother with Rosenberg? He's obviously no friend of yours.

I could kill him! I mean really kill him!

I actually threw the entire score on the fire

he made me so angry.

- You burned the score? - Oh..

No. My wife took it out in time.

Ha.

Thank God.

It's not fair that a man like that

should have power over our work.

But there are those who have power over him.

I think I'll take this up with the Emperor.

Excellency..

Would you?

With all my heart, Mozart.

Oh! Thank you.

- Thank you. - Please, please.

Herr Mozart, please. "It's not a holy relic."

[laughing]

I don't need to tell you, I said

nothing whatever to the Emperor.

I went to the theater ready to tell Mozart something, anything.

[operatic singing]

(Antonio) When suddenly..

...in the middle of the third act

to my astonishment, the Emperor

who never attended rehearsals suddenly appeared.

What is this?

I don't understand.

Is it modern?

Majesty..

The Herr direttore

he has removed una balletto

that would have occurred at this place.

Why?

It is your regulation, sire

no ballet in your opera.

Salieri.

Do you like this?

It's not a question of liking, Majesty.

Your own law decrees it, I'm afraid.

Well, look at them.

Oh! No, no, no. This is nonsense.

Let me see the scene with the music.

But, sire!

- Oblige me. - Yes, Majesty.

Excuse me, Majesty.

Can we see the scene with the music back, please?

Certainly. Certainly, Herr director.

Peter, bring the palace set back in, please.

[opera music]

The restored third act was bold, brilliant.

The fourth..

...was astounding.

[operatic singing]

(Antonio) I saw a woman disguised in her maid's clothes.

Hear her husband speak

the first tender words

he has offered her in years..

...simply because he thinks she is someone else.

I heard the music of true forgiveness filling the theater

conferring on all who sat there

perfect absolution.

God was singing through this little man

to all the world..

...unstoppable.

Making my defeat more bitter with every passing bar.

[singing continues]

[singing continues]

And then..

Do you know what happened?

A miracle.

[chuckles]

[yawning]

(Antonio) With that yawn

I saw my defeat turn into a victory.

[chuckles]

(Antonio) And Mozart was lucky

the emperor yawned only once.

Three yawns, and the opera would fail the same night.

Two yawns, within a week, at most.

With one yawn, the composer could still get..

Nine performances! Nine!

That's all it's had, and withdrawn.

I know. I know.

It's outrageous.

Still, if-if the public doesn't like one's work

one has to accept the fact gracefully.

But what is it that they don't like?

I can speak for the emperor.

You make too many demands on the royal ear.

The poor man can't concentrate for more than an hour.

You gave him four.

What did you think of it yourself?

'Did you like it at all?'

I thought it was marvelous.

Of course.

It's the best opera yet written.

'I know it.'

Why didn't they come?

[laughs]

I think you overestimate our dear Viennese, my friend.

Do you know, you didn't even give them a good bang

at the end of songs

to let them know when to clap.

I know, I know.

Maybe you should give me some lessons in that.

I wouldn't presume.

Nevertheless, at the risk of imposing

I would like you to see my new piece.

It would be a tremendous honor for me.

Oh, no.

The honor would be all mine.

Grazie, Wolfgang.

Grazie a lei, Signor Antonio.

[operatic singing]

[singing continues]

[cheers and applause]

- 'Bravo!' - 'Bravo!'

I believe...

I believe, it is the best opera yet written, my friends.

[indistinct chatter]

'Salieri!'

You are the brightest star in the musical firmament.

You do honor to Vienna and to me.

[applause]

Come.

[indistinct chatter]

[greeting in foreign language]

Oh, Mozart!

It was good of you to come.

How could I not?

H-how..

Did my work please you?

I never knew that that music like that was possible.

- You flatter me. - No, no.

One hears such sounds, and...

What can one say, but...

Salieri.

[Mozart giggling]

Oh! Everybody's here and we've got guests.

'Bravo! Well, I've got some more.'

Stanzi, you remember my excellent friend, Schikaneder.

Come in, come in. Don't be shy.

This is a very nice girl and this is also a very--

Wolfie.

Yes, my love?

These gentlemen are from Salzburg.

Salzburg? We were just talking about Salzburg.

Wolfie..

Your father is dead.

[dramatic music]

[thudding]

[crashing]

[operatic singing]

So rose the dreadful ghost

from his next...and blackest opera.

(Antonio) There on the stage

stood the figure of a dead commander.

And I knew.

Only I understood that the horrifying apparition

was Leopold raised from the dead.

[singing continues]

Wolfgang had actually summoned up his own father

to accuse his son before all the world.

It was...terrifying and wonderful to watch.

[singing continues]

And now..

[singing continues]

...the madness began in me.

The madness of a man splitting in half.

Through my influence, I saw to it Don Giovanni

was played only five times in Vienna.

But in secret, I went to every one of those five..

...worshiping the sound, I alone could seem to hear.

[singing continues]

(Antonio) And as I stood there, understanding

how that bitter old man

was still possessing his poor son even from beyond the grave

I began to see a way, a terrible way

I could finally triumph...over God.

[singing continues]

[screeching]

[crashing]

[screaming]

[audience applause]

[wind howling]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[coughs]

[coughs]

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

[knock on door]

[music crescendo]

(male #1) 'Herr Mozart?'

'I have come to commission work from you.'

What work?

A mass for the dead.

What dead?

Who is dead?

A man who deserved a requiem mass and never got one.

- Who are you? - I am only a messenger.

Do you accept?

'You will be well paid.'

[coins jingle]

'Do you accept?'

[instrumental music]

Work fast.

And be sure tell no one what you do.

You will see me again soon.

[music continues]

Wolfie?

My plan was so simple..

...that it terrified me.

[smack lips]

First, I must get the death mass, and then I...

...I must achieve his death.

What?

His funeral.

Imagine it.

The cathedral

all Vienna sitting there, his coffin

Mozart's little coffin in the middle.

And then...

In that silence...

...music!

[requiem mass music]

A divine music bursts out over them all.

A great mass of death!

Requiem mass for Wolfgang Mozart..

...composed by his devoted friend...Antonio Salieri.

Oh!

Oh, what sublimity! What depth!

What passion in the music!

Salieri has been touched by God

at last, and God forced to listen!

Powerless! Powerless to stop it!

I, for once, in the end laughing at him!

The only thing that worried me was the actual killing.

How does one do that?

Hm? How does one kill a man?

Ah, it's one thing to, to dream about it.

It's very different when-when you..

...when you have to do it...

...with your own hands.

[instrumental music]

[knocking]

[rapid knocking]

C-c-c-c-c-come in!

[orchestra music]

[ripping]

[audience cheering]

♪ Don Giovanni ♪

♪ I've come to dinner ♪

(male #2) 'Dinner? Are you mad? I am a nobleman.'

'I only ever dine with people of my own height.'

[shouting] Oh, stop it!

♪ Be careful be careful be careful ♪

♪ Hold tight ♪

♪ I'm a famous horseman ♪

♪ And we're a famous horsy ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

♪ Give me your hoof my darling ♪

♪ And I'll give you my heart ♪

♪ Take me to your stable ♪

♪ And never more we'll part ♪

Oh!

[screaming]

♪ Kill me kill me kill me kill me ♪

♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh ♪

Aah! Help!

Oh!

[cheers and applause]

♪ We're going to make a soprano stew ♪

♪ We're going to make a soprano stew ♪

♪ And when you make a soprano stew ♪

Ah, shut up!

I'm sick to death of that tune.

[audience shouting]

Oh!

Oh!

[audience cheering]

[horse neighs]

[applause]

♪ Give give give give ♪

♪ Give him some hay my darling ♪

♪ And I'll give you my heart ♪♪

Leporello, some hay! Prestissimo!

[audience shouting]

[whirring]

[indistinct chatter]

[all cheering]

[all clamoring]

[all cheering]

[audience applause]

[shouting]

[rattling]

[whirring]

- Oh! - Oh!

[operatic singing]

[audience applause]

[audience applause]

[laughing] So!

What did you think of that, eh?

Ah, it's wonderful!

He liked the little people.

[laughing] Well, it's all in good fun, eh?

(Wolfgang) 'I liked the horse.'

[instrumental music]

I tell you...if you'd played Don Giovanni here

'you would have had a wonderful success.'

You belong here, not at the snobby court.

You can do anything you like. The more fantastic, the better.

That's what people want, fantasy.

You write...a proper part for me

a couple of catchy songs

I guarantee you a triumph deluxe.

- What do you say? - How much will you pay him?

Ah.

Well, I see you brought your manager with you.

Well, madame, how about...half the receipts?

Half the receipts?

- Stanzi-- - I'm talking about now.

How much will you pay him now?

- Down payment. - Down payment?

[laughing]

Who do you think I am, the emperor?

Whoops. I have to go.

Uh, stay here. You'll enjoy this next one.

- You're not going to do this. - Why not? Half the house.

When? We need money now.

Either he pays you now, or you don't do it.

Oh, Stanzi.

I don't trust that man.

And I don't like what he did with your opera. It was common.

Well, you liked it, didn't you? Monkey, punky, flunky.

Half the house.

We'll never see a penny. I want it here in my hand.

Stanzi-manzi, I'll put it here in your hand.

[gasps] Shut up!

You won't put a thing in my hand until I see some money.

[dramatic opera music]

[knock on door]

[knock on door continues]

Wolfie?

[bangs on door]

Wolfie!

[knock on door continue]

Don't answer it.

Why?

Tell him...

Tell him, I'm not here.

[banging on door]

'Tell him..'

Tell him I'm working on it.

Come back later.

[banging on door continue]

[banging on door continue]

Am I interrupting something?

- No, no. - Good.

Where's our friend?

(Constanze) 'He's not here.'

But he's working on it. He told me to tell you.

Is that it?

Is he happy with it?

What's this? A requiem mass?

You think I'm in the funeral business?

Leave that alone. Put it down, put it down!

Put it down, I say. It's nothing for you!

Sorry. Sorry.

(Emanuel) 'What have you got for me?'

Finished?

- What? - The vaudeville.

What do you think?

- Yes. - Can I see it?

- No. - Why not?

Because there's nothing to see.

[giggles]

Look..

...I asked you if we could start rehearsals next week

and you said yes.

- Well, we can. - So, let me see it.

Where is it?

Here.

It's alright here in my noodle.

The rest is just scribbling.

Scribbling and bibbling, bibbling and scribbling.

- Would you like a drink? - Look, you little clown!

Do you know how many people I've hired for you?

Do you know how many people waiting for you?

Leave him alone!

I'm paying these people, do you realize that?

He's doing his best.

I'm paying these people to wait for you.

It's ridiculous.

You know what's ridiculous? Your libretto.

- That's what's ridiculous. - Oh?

Only an idiot would ask Wolfie to work on that stuff.

Twelve-foot snakes, magic flutes?

What's so intelligent about writing a requiem?

Money. Money.

You're mad.

- She's mad, Wolfie. - Oh, yes?

Wolfie, write it down.

'Just write it down.'

'On paper.'

'It's no use to anybody in your head.'

To hell with your...Death mass.

Calm, calm yourself. What's the matter with you?

I'm not working there anymore.

Why? What has happened?

You don't know what it's like.

Herr Mozart frightens me.

He drinks all day, then takes all that medicine

and it makes him worse.

Is he working?

Oh, I'm frightened, sir, really.

When he speaks, he doesn't make any sense.

(Antonio) 'Is he working?'

[instrumental music]

I suppose so.

He sits there all the time doing some silly opera.

Opera?

Please don't ask me to go

back again. I'm frightened!

I'm very, very frightened!

Are you sure it's an opera?

[music continues]

[music continues]

[giggles]

[music continues]

[giggles]

Pfft.

[knock on door]

[dramatic music]

I don't have it yet.

Are you neglecting my request?

No.

No, I..

I promise you, I...

I'll give you a wonderful piece, the best I ever..

This is my wife, Stanzi.

I've been sick, but I'm alright now, aren't I?

Oh, yes, sir. He's alright.

And he's working on it very hard.

Give me two more weeks. Please.

The sooner you finish, the greater your reward.

Work.

[door closes]

Wolfie.

I think you really are going mad.

You work like a slave for that idiot actor

who won't give you a penny, and here..

This is not a ghost!

This is a real man who puts down real money.

Why on earth won't you finish it?

Can you give me one reason I can understand?

It's killing me.

[sobbing]

You're drunk, aren't you?

Be honest. Tell me you've been drinking.

[sighs]

It's not fair.

I worry about you all the time.

I do everything I can to help you.

And all you can do is drink and talk nonsense and frighten me!

Go back to bed.

[requiem mass music]

Please..

[sniffs]

...let me..

...let me sit here.

Let me stay here with you?

[operatic singing]

[piano music]

[singing and laughter]

[requiem mass music]

[wind howling]

[music continues]

Stanzi.

Stan..

Stanzi.

Stanzi.

I did it, and I was proud to do it.

"Leave", I said, "right away".

Clear out and take the child with you.

Here's the money. Go to the spa and get your health back.

I was shocked, shocked to my foundation when I saw her.

I couldn't believe my eyes, poor little thing.

Oh, you monster. No one exists but you, do they?

You and your music. I warned her.

"Choose a man, not a baby", I said.

"You marry him, you won't have a pot to piss in."

You selfish thing.

Selfish, that's what you are. Selfish. Simply selfish!

Do you hear me?

[operatic singing]

[audience applause]

Bravo!

♪ Rejected be forever ♪

♪ Forsaken be forever ♪

♪ So sundered be forever ♪

♪ All the bonds of kin and blood ♪

♪ Rejected ♪

♪ Forsaken ♪

♪ Intercepted ♪

♪ All the bonds of kin and blood ♪

[humming]

[instrumental music]

♪ All the bonds of kin and blood ♪

♪ If not through thee ♪

♪ So let love's life be taken ♪

♪ Words of vengeance ♪

♪ My mother's curse ♪♪

[flames crackling]

[audience applause]

[instrumental music]

♪ A sweetheart or a pretty little wife ♪

♪ Is Papageno's wish ♪

♪ A willing billing lovey-dovey ♪

♪ Would be my most tasty little dish ♪

♪ Be my most tasty little dish ♪

♪ Be my most tasty little dish ♪

[glockenspiel music]

♪ Then that would be eating and drinking ♪

♪ I'd live like a prince without thinking ♪

♪ The wisdom of old would be mine ♪

♪ A woman's much better than wine ♪

♪ Then that would be eating and drinking ♪

♪ The wisdom of old would be mine ♪

♪ A woman's much better than wine ♪

♪ Much better than wine ♪

♪ Much better than wine ♪

[indistinct chatter]

Pick him up. Pick him up.

♪ ...or a pretty little wife ♪

Be careful. Come with me.

You, follow me.

♪ Billing lovey-dovey ♪

♪ Would be my most tasty little dish ♪

♪ Be my most tasty little dish ♪

♪ Be my most tasty little dish ♪♪

[horse snort]

[indistinct chatter]

[panting]

- Is it over? - Yes, it is over. It's over.

Go!

[instrumental music]

♪ Pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa pa pa ♪

♪ Pa pa Papageno ♪

♪ Pa pa Papageno ♪

♪ Please will you be mine forever ♪

♪ Yes I will be yours forever ♪

♪ Come to me my little dove ♪♪

[door opens]

Go, go, go.

Go! Go!

[door closes]

[sighs]

(Antonio) Where is your wife?

Where is your wife?

She's not well, either. She went to the spa.

You are so good to me.

Truly. Thank you.

Oh, no. Please, please.

No, no, I-I-I mean to come to my opera.

'You..'

You were the only colleague of mine who came.

Oh, Mozart.

Mozart, I would never miss anything you had written.

It's just a vaudeville.

No, no.

It's a sublime piece.

[laughs] The grandest operone.

I tell you..

...you're the greatest composer known to me.

Do you mean it?

[knocking on door]

- It's him. - Who?

The man.

[knock on door continues]

He's here.

Tell him to go away.

'Tell him I-I-I'm still working on it.'

'Don't let him in.'

No, no, wait.

Ask him if he would give me...some money now.

Tell him if he would, it would help me to finish it.

[knocking on door continues]

- Salieri? - Yes.

- Can we come in? - Well, better not.

He's, he's sleeping.

- He's alright, though? - Oh, yes.

He's just exhausted.

He became dizzy. That's all.

Well, tell him we came by, won't you?

Of course.

Oh, give him this.

That's his share.

- That should cheer him up. - Indeed.

And now goodnight to you all.

It was...perfection, truly.

[chuckles] Thank you.

What happened?

[coin jiggles]

He said to give you this.

And if you finish the work by tomorrow night..

...he will pay you another hundred ducats.

Another?

'That's too soon. Tomorrow night..'

It's impossible.

Did he say a hundred?

Yes.

[sighs]

It's too soon.

Can I..

Could I help you?

Would you?

Actually, you could.

[laughing]

[instrumental music]

- I wanna go. - Where?

I wanna go back to Vienna.

- 'Now?' - 'Yes.'

Why?

I feel wrong.

I feel wrong being here.

Where did I stop?

The end of the recordare. S--

So now, the confutatis. Confutatis maledictis.

When the wicked are confounded. Flammis acribus addictis.

How would you translate that?

Consigned to flames of woe.

Do you believe in it?

What?

A fire which never dies, burning you forever.

Oh, yes.

Is it possible?

Come. Let's begin.

We ended in "F" major.

- Yes. - So, now, "A" minor.

"A" minor.

Yes.

Confutatis. "A" minor.

Start with the voices.

'Bass is first. Second beat of the first--'

- Time, time? - Common time.

Second beat of the first measure.

On "A."

♪ Confutatis ♪

Second measure, second beat.

♪ Maledictis ♪

- You see? - Yes, yes. "D" sharp.

- Of course. - 'Yes.'

Second beat of the third measure. On "E."

♪ Flammis acribus addictis ♪

Rest.

♪ Maledictis flammis ♪

♪ Acribus addictis ♪♪

- You have me? - I think so.

Show me.

♪ Confutatis ♪

♪ Maledictis ♪

♪ Flammis acribus addictis ♪

♪ Maledictis flammis acribus addictis ♪

Good. Good.

Now the tenors.

Fourth beat of the first measure. On "C."

♪ Confutatis ♪

Second measure, fourth beat. "D."

♪ Maledictis ♪

- Alright. - Yes, yes, yes, continue.

Second beat of the fourth measure. On "F."

♪ Flammis acribus addictis ♪

♪ Flammis acribus addictis ♪♪

(Wolfgang) 'Now the orchestra.'

'Second bassoon and bass trombones with the basses.'

Identical notes and rhythm.

[instrumental music]

First bassoon, tenor trombones with the tenors.

[humming]

- You're going too fast. - Do you have it?

- You're going too fast! - Do you have it?

First bassoon, tenor trombone what?

With the tenors.

- Identical? - Of course.

The instruments doubling the voices.

Now, trumpets and timpani. Trumpets in "D."

- No, no. I don't understand! - Listen to me. Listen.

Trumpets in "D." Tonic and dominant, first and third beats.

It goes with the harmony.

[humming rhythmically]

Yes. Yes, yes.

[hums]

Yeah.

Yes. Mm-hmm.

Yes, I understand. Yes, yes. And that's all?

No, no. Now for the real fire.

Strings in unison. Ostinato, on "A," like this.

[humming]

Next measure's rising.

- Do you have it? Show me. - Yes. Yes, yes. I think so.

[humming]

- It's wonderful. - Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Go on. Voca me.

Sotto voce.

- Write that down. Sotto voce. - Yes, yes, yes.

Pianissimo.

- Pianissimo? - Yes.

"C" major.

Sopranos and Altos in thirds.

Altos on "C." Sopranos above.

♪ Voca ♪

♪ Voca me ♪

♪ Cum benedictis ♪♪

Sopranos up to "F" on, on the second voca?

- Yes. And on dictis. - Yes, yes, yes.

And underneath, just violins, arpeggios.

[humming]

Descending scale in eighth notes

and then back to the ostinato again. And that's it.

- Do you have it? - You go too fast.

- Do you have it? - You go too fast!

One moment, please. One moment.

- Yes. - Good. Show me.

The whole thing. From the beginning.

["Confutatis" by Mozart]

[chains clinking]

♪ Voca voca me ♪

♪ Voca me cum benedictis ♪

[music continues]

♪ Voca Voca me ♪

♪ Voca me voca me ♪

♪ Voca me cum benedictis ♪

♪ Oro supplex ♪

♪ Et acclinis ♪

♪ Cor contritum ♪

♪ Quasi cinis ♪♪

[exhales]

Do you wanna rest a bit?

No. No, I'm not tired at all.

We'll stop for a moment.

Then we'll finish the "Lacrimosa."

Oh, I can keep going, I assure you.

Will you stay with me while I sleep a little?

I'm not leaving you.

[laughs softly]

I'm so ashamed.

Of what?

I was foolish. I..

I thought you did not care for my work..

...or me.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

[thuds]

What are you doing here?

[clears throat] Your, your husband took..

...took sick.

I brought him home.

Why you?

Because, madame, I was at hand.

Well, thank you very much. You can go now.

He needs me, ma'am.

No, he doesn't.

And I don't want you here.

Just go, please.

- He asked me to stay. - And I'm ask--

[coin drops]

Wolfie?

Wolfie.

I'm back.

[cries] I missed you so much.

If you just..

..show me that you need me..

'...and I'll try to do better, too.'

What is this?

No, Wolfie, not this.

Not this.

(Constanze) 'You're not to work on this ever again.'

I've decided.

This is not his handwriting.

No, it's mine.

I was assisting him.

Well, he's not to work on this anymore.

- It's making him ill. - But-but..

Goodnight.

I regret we have no servants to show you out, Herr Salieri.

Please respect my wish and go.

Madame..

...I will respect his.

Wolfie?

Wolfie?

Wolfie?

[instrumental music]

Wolfie?

Wolfie!

Wolfie!

Wolfie!

["Lacrimosa" by Mozart]

[rain spattering]

[chorus continues]

[chorus continues]

[music continues]

[speaking in Latin]

- Amen. - Amen.

[chorus continues]

[laughing]

Your, merciful God.

He destroyed his own beloved

rather than let a mediocrity

share in the smallest part of his glory.

(Antonio) 'He killed Mozart..'

...and kept me alive to torture.

Thirty two years of torture.

Thirty two years..

. ..of slowly watching myself become extinct.

My music..

...growing fainter.

All the time fainter..

...till no one plays it at all.

But his..

[instrumental music]

Good morning, professor.

Time for the water closet.

And then we have your favorite breakfast for you..

Sugar rolls. He loves those.

Fresh sugar rolls.

I will speak for you, father.

I speak for all mediocrities in the world.

I am their champion.

I am their patron saint.

[laughs]

[music continues]

Mediocrities everywhere..

...I absolve you.

'I absolve you.'

'I absolve you.'

'I absolve you.'

'I absolve you all.'

[music continues]

[Mozart's braying giggle]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]