News about Amadeus

 I blogged before and again about a new adaptation of Amadeus by Peter Shaffer. I keep my ears to the ground for any development and casting updates. Anyway, I read this article a few days ago and thought I would mention it here. New actors have been added to the cast, among them Rory Kinnear. It is the one I know the most, having played Bill Tanner in the latest Bond movies. He will be playing the role of the Emperor, which I think is very fitting. So far I am quite happy about how the project is shaping up.

More on the new Amadeus

 I blogged last month about a new adaptation of Amadeus by Peter Shaffer, this time as a TV series. For someone like me who is a fan of the film, the play and, well, of Mozart as well, that's great news. I am cautiously optimistic about the project. Casting seems to be going well and they found their Constanze Mozart. Or Stanzie, as she is often called in the play. Welsh actress Gabrielle Creevy will play the part. I don't know her, at least I don't remember seeing her in anything, but I think she looks the part. I really cannot wait to watch it. Patience, patience.

A New Amadeus

Well, some good news for the Mozart fan that I am: there will be a new version of Amadeus by Peter Shaffer. Not a new movie, but a new TV series. I found the info in an article on ClassicFM about the casting. I don't know anything apart from that, but I'm intrigued and excited. I hope I can find a platform to watch it, when it will be released. A part of me is anxious: I hope they don't mess it up. The film was already a brilliant transfer from stage to screen, turning the play into a TV series is probably going to be an at least equally challenging task. But if nothing else, there will be great music to go with the drama. And the source material is solid.

The birthday of Salieri

Today is the birthday of Antonio Salieri, born on the 18th of August 1750. Competent composer, he is ironically known for a muder he did not commit and which in fact was no murder at all. Is musical career got obscured because of that hot kid from Salzburg. Which would be a shame, but then again we have Amadeus and we can at least give him some credit for it. To commemorate his birthday and even celebrate the man, I have decided to show a scene from the original production of Amadeus, with the fictitious Salieri played by Paul Scofield. Just because. Oh and on a side note, Salieri was maybe the best music teacher of his time.

RIP Peter Shaffer

Sad news I learned tonight: my wife told me that Sir Peter Shaffer died. At 90, it is not a tragedy, but it is still sad. He is of course the author of Amadeus, the amazing play that was the basis for the no less amazing movie of the same name. Like for many, the film made me discover the genius of Mozart. I watched the movie an innumerable number of times since I was a child, I read the play which I bought in a second hand bookshop in Montreal, I had finally the chance to see it a few months ago on stage. I never get tired of it. It is a fictionalized account of Mozart's life, yet it is a genuine portrait of the artist and of his work. It also vilified his contemporary Antonio Salieri, making him a jealous schemer, then an assassin. Ironically, Shaffer's work saved Salieri from oblivion. He also made him into a fascinating character. I said it before, I will say it again: it is my dream to get back on the stage to play the role of Salieri. I must confess, it is the only play I have ever seen or read of the writer. I will correct this as soon as possible. Until then, this is my homage to a great dramatic author who had a unique way with words. So here is again, as an homage, the trailer of the movie, which is very much like the beginning of the play. RIP to a true maestro.

To play Salieri

Yesterday, my wife and I went to see Amadeus on stage, which I had been impatient to finally see. We really enjoyed our evening. Unfortunately the actor playing Antonio Salieri had been taken ill, so was replaced at the last minute by the stage director, who played pretty well, all things considered, even though he had to read the lines. In spite of this, it was tremendously enjoyable. The text by Peter Shaffer lifts everything, even the technical difficulties. Interestingly and fittingly enough, we have recently discovered a new piece of music by Mozart, written in collaboration with... Salieri, which set a new light on their reports and challenges the legend as depicted by the play.

All the same, the legend, especially depicted in such a way, is worthy in its own right. The mediocre but successful court composer able to see true musical genius, while unable to attain it, seemingly shun by a god to whom he was devoted, this speaks to all of us. And watching the play, I started feeling a certain jealousy myself, which is often how I feel when I see a play, great or small, played by professionals or amateurs. I have dabbled into acting myself, but as a amateur. Amadeus is one of my favourite text, and seeing it on stage and listening to it, I started wondering how I would have played Salieri, given the chance. And I know I am an amateur, albeit I do think I have some natural talents for acting, but I think given the time and work I could pull off a decent performance as Salieri. I think I could find my voice as Salieri and the voice would open. Partially because I have started to know the text fairly well, because I have been fascinated by the character for decades now, but also because I know I have played in the past nasty and bitter characters with ease. And you can't have more bitter than Salieri. So if I can ever go on stage one day, this is the play and role I want to perform.

Amadeus on stage

Oh the discoveries one can find in charity shops, in this instance in the local Oxfam. Last Saturday, I found in it a leaflet announcing a stage version of Amadeus by Peter Shaffer. Because before being an amazing movie, it was an amazing play. I first discovered the movie of course, which is one of my favourite of all time. It is only decades later than I found the stage play, in the English section of a second hand bookshop in Montreal (this one). I loved it just as much. The different medium really brought a completely different dimension to the story. But now, I have the opportunity to finally see the play on stage. This will be a marriage of two things I dearly love: Mozart's music and theater. I think I will buy the tickets tonight. And I will end this post with a trailer of the movie, which is very similar to the beginning of the play.

Scheming Salieri

My brother PJ is in Prague, to see a performance of Don Giovanni. So he is in a musical mood. So am I, as well as in an envious mood, this being my favorite opera, bare none. Anyway, he also made me aware today of a very special anniversary for people into musical history: today is the 265th anniversary of Antonio Salieri. Contemporary of Mozart, an urban legend makes him his murderer. And various works of fiction, among them the movie (and the play which inspired it) Amadeus, which used this urban legend to great effects. But Salieri was apparently in conflict with Mozart and scheming against him, which is enough to be disliked nowadays by people like me. I am merciless aren't I? Still, it is very ironic that he is now famous for a crime he probably never committed. And that his rival his now renown as the greatest composer of all time. So in "honour" (hum, hum) of Salieri, I uploaded this introductory scene from Amadeus, which pretty much sums up his stature now in our memory.