episodes 1 & 2
Based on Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play, and boldly adapted by Joe Barton (Black Doves, Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project), this spectacular five-part re-imagination explores the meteoric rise and mythic downfall of one of history’s most iconic composers – and rockstar virtuoso of the 18th century, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
When twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri. As Amadeus’ brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and scepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift. Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God, Salieri vows to bring him down. What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozart’s legacy forever.
Episode 1
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.
Episode 2
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.
directors
Julian Farino (episodes 1-3)
Alice Seabright (episodes 4-5)
music
Benjamin Holder
Chantelle Woodnutt
production design
Morgan Kennedy
costumes
Lisa Duncan
cast
Will Sharpe
(Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
Paul Bettany
(Antonio Salieri)
Gabrielle Creevy
(Constanze Mozart)
Rory Kinnear
(Emperor Joseph)
production
Two Cities Television
in association with
Sky Studios
broadcaster
Sky
“It’s not a like-for-like remake of the play or film so much as a reimagining of the themes that they play with. So a lot of the story beats are different, though we’ve kept some of the key scenes and structure and of course the central relationship between the characters but have also built upon it, either with new fictious ideas like Amadeus needling Salieri with A Little Night Music or historical situations or characters that weren’texplored in Shaffer’s original text like Da Ponte or the effects of the war on Viennese society.” (Joe Barton)
