4/4/2017 Amadeusscript

"AMADEUS"

by

PeterShaffer

FinalDraft

INT.STAIRCASEOUTSIDEOLDSALIERI'SSALONNIGHT1823

Totaldarkness.Wehearanoldman'svoice,distinctandin
distress.ItisOLDSALIERI.HeusesamixtureofEnglish
andoccasionallyItalian.

OLDSALIERI
Mozart!Mozart!Mozart.Forgiveme!
Forgiveyourassassin!Mozart!

Afaintlightilluminatesthescreen.Flickeringly,wesee
aneighteenthcenturybalustradeandaflightofstonestairs.
Wearelookingdownintothewallofthestaircasefromthe
pointofviewofthelanding.Upthestairiscominga
branchedcandlestickheldbySalieri'sVALET.Byhissideis
Salieri'sCOOK,bearingalargedishofsugaredcakesand
biscuits.Bothmenaredesperatelyworried:theValetis
thinandmiddleaged;theCook,plumpandItalian.Itis
verycold.Theywearshawlsovertheirnightdressesand
clogsontheirfeet.Theywheezeastheyclimb.Thecandles
throwtheirshadowsupontothepeelingwallsofthehouse,
whichisevidentlyanoldoneandinbaddecay.Acatscuttles
swiftlybetweentheirbarelegs,astheyreachthesalon
door.

TheValettriesthehandle.Itislocked.Behinditthevoice
goeson,risinginvolume.

OLDSALIERI
Showsomemercy!Ibegyou.Ibeg
you!Showmercytoaguiltyman!

TheValetknocksgentlyonthedoor.Thevoicestops.

VALET
Openthedoor,Signore!Please!Be
goodnow!We'vebroughtyousomething
special.Somethingyou'regoingto
love.

Silence.

VALET
SignoreSalieri!Openthedoor.Come
now.Begood!

ThevoiceofOldSaliericontinuesagain,furtheroffnow,
andlouder.Wehearanoiseasifawindowisbeingopened.

OLDSALIERI
Mozart!Mozart!Iconfessit!Listen!
Iconfess!

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Thetwoservantslookateachotherinalarm.ThentheValet
handsthecandlesticktotheCookandtakesasugaredcake
fromthedish,scramblingasquicklyashecanbackdownthe
stairs.

EXT.THESTREETOUTSIDESALIERI'SHOUSEVIENNANIGHT

Thestreetisfilledwithpeople:tencabswithdrivers,
fivechildren,fifteenadults,twodoormen,fifteendancing
couplesandasledandthreedogs.Itisawindynight.Snow
isfallingandwhirlingabout.Peoplearepassingonfoot,
holdingtheircloakstightlyaroundthem.Someofthemare
revelersinfancydress:theywearmasksontheirfacesor
hangingaroundtheirnecks,asifreturningfromparties.
Nowtheyareglancingupatthefacadeoftheoldhouse.
ThewindowabovethestreetisopenandOldSalieristands
therecallingtothesky:asharpfeatured,whitehaired
Italianoverseventyyearsold,wearingastaineddressing
gown.

OLDSALIERI
Mozart!Mozart!Icannotbearitany
longer!Iconfess!IconfesswhatI
did!I'mguilty!Ikilledyou!Sir
Iconfess!Ikilledyou!

Thedoorofthehouseburstsopen.TheValethobblesout,
holdingthesugaredcake.Thewindcatchesathisshawl.

OLDSALIERI
Mozart,perdonami!Forgiveyour
assassin!Piet!Piet!Forgiveyour
assassin!Forgiveme!Forgive!
Forgive!

VALET
(lookinguptothe
window)
That'sallright,Signore!Heheard
you!Heforgaveyou!Hewantsyouto
goinsidenowandshutthewindow!

OldSalieristaresdownathim.Someofthepassersbyhave
nowstoppedandarewatchingthisspectacle.

VALET
Comeon,Signore!LookwhatIhave
foryou!Ican'tgiveittoyoufrom
downhere,canI?

OldSalierilooksathimincontempt.Thenheturnsaway
backintotheroom,shuttingthewindowwithabang.Through
theglass,theoldmanstaresdownatthegroupofonlookers
inthestreet.Theystarebackathiminconfusion.

BYSTANDER
Whoisthat?

VALET
Noone,sir.He'llbeallright.
Poorman.He'salittleunhappy,you
know.

Hemakesasignindicating'crazy,'andgoesbackinsidethe
house.Theonlookerskeepstaring.
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CUTTO:

INT.LANDINGOUTSIDEOLDSALIERI'SSALONNIGHT

TheCookisstandingholdingthecandlestickinonehand,
thedishofcakesintheother.TheValetarrives,panting.

VALET
Didheopen?

TheCook,scared,shakeshishead:no.TheValetagainknocks
onthedoor.

VALET
HereIam,Signore.Nowopenthe
door.

Heeatsthesugaredcakeinhishand,elaboratelyandnoisily.

VALET
Mmmmthisisgood!Thisisthe
mostdeliciousthingIeverate,
believeme!Signore,youdon'tknow
whatyou'remissing!Mmmm!

Wehearathumpfrominsidethebedroom.

VALET
Nowthat'senough,Signore!Open!

Wehearaterrible,throatygroaning.

VALET
Ifyoudon'topenthisdoor,we're
goingtoeateverything.There'llbe
nothingleftforyou.AndI'mnot
goingtobringyouanythingmore.

Helooksdown.Fromunderthedoorweseeatrickleofblood
flowing.Inhorror,thetwomenstareatit.Thedishof
cakesfallsfromtheCook'shandandshatters.

Hesetsthecandlestickdownonthefloor.Bothservantsrun
atthedoorfranticallyonce,twice,threetimesandthe
fraillockgives.Thedoorfliesopen.

Immediately,thestormy,frenziedopeningofMozart'sSymphony
No.25(theLittleGMinor)begins.Weseewhattheservants
see.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SSALONNIGHT

OldSalieriliesonthefloorinapoolofblood,anopen
razorinhishand.Hehascuthisthroatbutisstillalive.
Hegesturesatthem.Theyruntohim.Barely,weglimpsethe
roomanoldchair,oldtablespiledwithbooks,aforte
piano,achamberpotonthefloorastheValetandthe
CookstruggletolifttheiroldMaster,andbindhisbleeding
throatwithanapkin.

INT.BALLROOMNIGHT

Twentyfivedancingcouples,fiftyguests,tenservants,
fullorchestra.
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Asthemusicslowsalittle,weseeaMasqueradeBallin
progress.Acrowdedroomofdancersisexecutingtheslow
portionofadancefashionableintheearly1820's.

EXT.STREETOUTSIDESALIERI'SHOUSENIGHT

Asthefastmusicreturns,weseeOldSalieribeingcarried
outofhishouseonastretcherbytwoattendants,andplaced
inahorsedrawnwagonunderthesupervisionofamiddle
ageddoctorinatallhat.ThisisDOCTORGULDEN.Hegetsin
besidehispatient.Thedriverwhipsupthehorse,andthe
wagondashesoffthroughthestillfallingsnow.

MONTAGE:

EXT.FOURSTREETSOFVIENNAAND

INT.THEWAGONNIGHT

Thewagonisgallopingthroughthesnowystreetsofthecity.
InsidetheconveyanceweseeOldSalieriwrappedinblankets,
halfconscious,beingheldbythehospitalattendants.Doctor
Guldenstaresathimgrimly.Thewagonarrivesoutsidethe
GeneralHospitalofVienna.

CUTTO:

INT.AHOSPITALCORRIDORLATEAFTERNOON

Awide,whitewashedcorridor.DoctorGuldeniswalkingdown
itwithapriest,amanofaboutforty,concerned,but
somewhatselfimportant.ThisisFatherVOGLER,Chaplainat
thehospital.Inthecorridorastheywalk,wenoteseveral
patientssomeofthemvisiblydisturbedmentally.All
patientswearwhitelinensmocks.DoctorGuldenwearsadark
frockcoat;Vogler,acassock.

DOCTORGULDEN
He'sgoingtolive.It'smuchharder
tocutyourthroatthanmostpeople
imagine.

Theystopoutsideadoor.

DOCTORGULDEN
Hereweare.Doyouwishmetocome
inwithyou?

VOGLER
No,Doctor.Thankyou.

Voglernodsandopensthedoor.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMLATEAFTERNOON

AbareroomoneofthebestavailableintheGeneral
Hospital.Itcontainsabed,atablewithcandles,chairs,a
smallfortepianooftheearlynineteenthcentury.AsVogler
enters,OldSalieriissittinginawheelchair,lookingout
thewindow.Hisbackistous.Thepriestclosesthedoor
quietlybehindhim.

VOGLER
HerrSalieri?
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OldSalieriturnsaroundtolookathim.Weseethathis
throatisbandagedexpertly.Hewearshospitalgarb,and
overittheCivilianMedalandChainwithwhichwewilllater
seetheEMPERORinvesthim.

OLDSALIERI
Whatdoyouwant?

VOGLER
IamFatherVogler.IamaChaplain
here.Ithoughtyoumightliketo
talktosomeone.

OLDSALIERI
Aboutwhat?

VOGLER
Youtriedtotakeyourlife.Youdo
rememberthat,don'tyou?

OLDSALIERI
So?

VOGLER
InthesightofGodthatisasin.

OLDSALIERI
Whatdoyouwant?

VOGLER
Doyouunderstandthatyouhave
sinned?Gravely.

OLDSALIERI
Leavemealone.

VOGLER
Icannotleavealoneasoulinpain.

OLDSALIERI
DoyouknowwhoIam?Youneverheard
ofme,didyou?

VOGLER
Thatmakesnodifference.Allmen
areequalinGod'seyes.

OLDSALIERI
Arethey?

VOGLER
Offermeyourconfession.Icanoffer
youGod'sforgiveness.

OLDSALIERI
Idonotseekforgiveness.

VOGLER
Myson,thereissomethingdreadful
onyoursoul.Unburdenittome.I'm
hereonlyforyou.Pleasetalkto
me.

OLDSALIERI
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Howwellareyoutrainedinmusic?

VOGLER
Iknowalittle.Istudieditinmy
youth.

OLDSALIERI
Where?

VOGLER
HereinVienna.

OLDSALIERI
Thenyoumustknowthis.

Hepropelshiswheelchairtothefortepiano,andplaysan
unrecognizablemelody.

VOGLER
Ican'tsayIdo.Whatisit?

OLDSALIERI
I'msurprisedyoudon'tknow.Itwas
averypopulartuneinitsday.I
wroteit.Howaboutthis?

Heplaysanothertune.

OLDSALIERI
Thisonebroughtdownthehousewhen
weplayeditfirst.

Heplaysitwithgrowingenthusiasm.

CUTTO:

INT.THESTAGEOFANOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

WeseetheprettysopranoKATHERINACAVALIERI,nowabout
twentyfour,dressedinanelaboratemythologicalPersian
costume,singingonstage.She'sneartheendofaveryflorid
ariabySalieri.Theaudienceapplaudswildly.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMLATEAFTERNOON1823

OLDSALIERI
(takinghishandsoff
thekeys)
Well?

VOGLER
Iregretitisnottoofamiliar.

OLDSALIERI
Canyourecallnomelodyofmine?I
wasthemostfamouscomposerinEurope
whenyouwerestillaboy.Iwrote
fortyoperasalone.Whataboutthis
littlething?

SlylyheplaystheopeningmeasureofMozart'sEineKleine
Nachtmusik.Thepriestnods,smilingsuddenly,andhumsa
littlewiththemusic.

VOGLER
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Oh,Iknowthat!That'scharming!I
didn'tknowyouwrotethat.

OLDSALIERI
Ididn't.ThatwasMozart.Wolfgang
AmadeusMozart.Youknowwhothat
is?

VOGLER
Ofcourse.Themanyouaccuseyourself
ofkilling.

OLDSALIERI
Ahyou'veheardthat?

VOGLER
AllViennahasheardthat.

OLDSALIERI
(eagerly)
Anddotheybelieveit?

VOGLER
Isittrue?

OLDSALIERI
Doyoubelieveit?

VOGLER
ShouldI?

Averylongpause.Salieristaresabovethepriest,seemingly
lostinhisownprivateworld.

VOGLER
ForGod'ssake,myson,ifyouhave
anythingtoconfess,doitnow!
Giveyourselfsomepeace!

Afurtherpause.

VOGLER
Doyouhearme?

OLDSALIERI
Hewasmurdered,Father!Mozart!
Cruellymurdered.

Pause.

VOGLER
(almostwhispering)
Yes?Didyoudoit?

SuddenlyOldSalieriturnstohim,alookofextreme
innocence.

OLDSALIERI
Hewasmyidol!Ican'tremembera
timewhenIdidn'tknowhisname!
WhenIwasonlyfourteenhewas
alreadyfamous.EveninLegnago
thetiniesttowninItalyIknew
ofhim.

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CUTTO:

EXT.ASMALLTOWNSQUAREINLOMBARDY,ITALYDAY1780'S

Therearetwelvechildrenandtwentyadultsinthesquare.
WeseethefourteenyearoldSalieriblindfolded,playinga
gameofBlindman'sBluffwithotherItalianchildren,running
aboutinthebrightsunshineandlaughing.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Iwasstillplayingchildishgames
whenhewasplayingmusicforkings
andemperors.EventhePopeinRome!

CUTTO:

INT.ASALONINTHEVATICANDAY1780'S

WeseethesixyearoldMOZART,alsoblindfolded,seatedin
agildedchaironapileofbooks,playingtheharpsichord
forthePOPEandasuiteofCARDINALSandotherchurchmen.
BesidethelittleboystandsLEOPOLD,hisfather,smirking
withpride.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
IadmitIwasjealouswhenIheard
thetalestheytoldabouthim.Not
ofthebrilliantlittleprodigy
himself,butofhisfather,whohad
taughthimeverything.

Thepiecefinishes.Leopoldlowersthelidoftheharpsichord
andliftsuphislittlesontostandonit.Mozartremoves
theblindfoldtoshowapalelittlefacewithstaringeyes.
Bothfatherandsonbow.APapalChamberlainpresentsLeopold
withagoldsnuffboxwhilstthecardinalsdecorouslyapplaud.
OverthissceneOldSalierispeaks.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Myfatherdidnotcareformusic.He
wantedmeonlytobeamerchant,
likehimself.Asanonymousashe
was.WhenItoldhowIwishedIcould
belikeMozart,hewouldsay,Why?
Doyouwanttobeatrainedmonkey?
Wouldyoulikemetodragyouaround
Europedoingtrickslikeacircus
freak?HowcouldItellhimwhat
musicmeanttome?

CUTTO:

EXT.ACOUNTRYCHURCHINNORTHITALYDAY1780'S

SerenemusicoftheItalianBaroquePergolesi'sStabat
Matersungbyachoirofboyswithorganaccompaniment.
Weseetheoutsideofthe17thcenturychurchsittinginthe
widelandscapeofLombardy:sunlitfields,adusty,white
road,poplartrees.

INT.THECHURCHATLEGNAGODAY1780'S

Themusiccontinuesandswells.Weseethetwelveyearold
Salieriseatedbetweenhisplumpandplacidparentsinthe
congregation,listeninginrapture.Hisfatherisaheavy
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looking,selfapprovingman,obviouslyindifferenttothe
music.AlargeandaustereChristonthecrosshangsover
thealtar.Candlesburnbelowhisimage.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Eventhenasprayofsoundednotes
couldmakemedizzy,almostto
falling.

Theboyfallsforwardonhisknees.Sodohisparentsand
theothermembersofthecongregation.HestaresupatChrist
whostaresbackathim.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Whilstmyfatherprayedearnestlyto
Godtoprotectcommerce,Iwould
offerupsecretlytheproudestprayer
aboycouldthinkof.Lord,makeme
agreatcomposer!Letmecelebrate
yourglorythroughmusicandbe
celebratedmyself!Makemefamous
throughtheworld,dearGod!Makeme
immortal!AfterIdieletpeople
speakmynameforeverwithlovefor
whatIwrote!InreturnIvowIwill
giveyoumychastitymyindustry,
mydeepesthumility,everyhourof
mylife.AndIwillhelpmyfellow
manallIcan.Amenandamen!

Themusicswellstoacrescendo.Thecandlesflare.Wesee
theChristthroughtheflameslookingattheboybenignly.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Anddoyouknowwhathappened?A
miracle!

INT.DININGROOMINTHESALIERIHOUSEDAY1780'S

CU,alargecookedfishonathickchinaplate.Camerapulls
backtoshowtheSalierifamilyatdinner.FatherSalieri
sitsattheheadofthetable,anapkintuckedintohischin.
MotherSalieriisservingthefishintoportionsandhanding
themround.Twomaidenauntsareinattendance,wearingblack,
andofcoursetheyoungboy.FatherSalierireceiveshis
plateoffishandstartstoeatgreedily.Suddenlythereis
agasphestartstochokeviolentlyonafishbone.All
thewomengetupandcrowdaroundhim,thumpingandpummeling
him,butitisinvain.FatherSaliericollapses.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMLATEAFTERNOON1823

OLDSALIERI
Suddenlyhewasdead.Justlikethat!
Andmylifechangedforever.Mymother
said,Go.Studymusicifyoureally
wantto.Offwithyou!AndoffI
wentasquickasIcouldandnever
sawItalyagain.Ofcourse,Iknew
Godhadarrangeditall;thatwas
obvious.OnemomentIwasafrustrated
boyinanobscurelittletown.The
nextIwashere,inVienna,cityof
musicians,sixteenyearsoldand
studyingunderGluck!Gluck,Father.
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Doyouknowwhohewas?Thegreatest
composerofhistime.Andheloved
me!Thatwasthewonder.Hetaught
meeverythingheknew.AndwhenI
wasready,introducedmepersonally
totheEmperor!EmperorJosephthe
musicalking!WithinafewyearsI
washiscourtcomposer.Wasn'tthat
incredible?ImperialComposertoHis
Majesty!Actuallythemanhadnoear
atall,butwhatdiditmatter?He
adoredmymusic,thatwasenough.
NightafternightIsatrightnext
totheEmperorofAustria,playing
duetswithhim,correctingtheroyal
sightreading.Tellme,ifyouhad
beenme,wouldn'tyouhavethought
Godhadacceptedyourvow?Andbelieve
me,Ihonouredit.Iwasamodelof
virtue.Ikeptmyhandsoffwomen,
workedhourseverydayteaching
students,manyofthemforfree,
sittingonendlesscommitteesto
helppoormusiciansworkandwork
andwork,thatwasallmylife.And
itwaswonderful!Everybodyliked
me.Ilikedmyself.Iwasthemost
successfulmusicianinVienna.And
thehappiest.Tillhecame.Mozart.

CUTTO:

INT.THEARCHBISHOPOFSALZBURG'SRESIDENCEVIENNADAY
1780'S

Agrandroomcrowdedwithguests.AsmallgroupofGypsy
musiciansisplayinginthebackground.Thirteenmembersof
theArchbishop'sorchestraallwindplayers,completewith
18thcenturywindinstruments:elaboratelookingbassoons,
bassethorns,etc.andwearingtheiremployer'sliveryare
layingoutmusiconstandsatoneendoftheroom.Atthe
otherendisalargegildedchair,bearingthearmsofthe
ARCHBISHOPOFSALZBURG.Athrongofpeopleisstanding,
talking,andpreparingtositupontherowsofwaitingchairs
tohearaconcert.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
OnedayhecametoViennatoplay
someofhismusicattheresidence
ofhisemployer,thePrinceArchbishop
ofSalzburg.EagerlyIwentthereto
seekhimout.Thatnightchangedmy
life.

WeseeSalieri,agethirtyone,aneat,carefullyturnedcut
manindecentblackclothesandcleanwhitelinen,walking
throughthecrowdofguests.Wefollowhim.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
AsIwentthroughthesalon,Iplayed
agamewithmyself.Thismanhad
writtenhisfirstconcertoatthe
ageoffour;hisfirstsymphonyat
seven;afullscaleoperaattwelve.
Diditshow?Istalentlikethat
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writtenontheface?

WeseeshotsofassortedyoungmenstaringbackatSalieri
ashemovesthroughthecrowd.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Whichoneofthemcouldhebe?

SomeofthemenrecognizeSalieriandbowrespectfully.Then
suddenlyaservantbearingalargetrayofcakesandpastries
stalkspast.Instantlyrivetedbythesightofsuchdelights,
SalierifollowshimoutoftheGrandSalon.

INT.APALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

Theservantmarchesalongbearinghistrayofpastriesaloft.
Salierifollowshim.

Theservantturnsinto:

INT.BUFFETROOMINTHEPALACEDAY1780'S

Salieri'sPOV:severaltables,dressedtothefloorwith
clothsareloadedwithmanyplatesofconfectionery.Itis,
infact,Salieri'sideaofparadise!Theservantputshis
traydownononeofthetablesandwithdrawsfromtheroom.

INT.APALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

Salieriturnsawaysoasnottobenoticedbytheservant.
Assoonasthemandisappears,Salierisneaksintothebuffet
room.

INT.BUFFETROOMINTHEPALACEDAY1780'S

Salierienterstheroomandlooksabouthimcautiously.He
issalivatingwithanticipationashestaresatthefeastof
sweetthings.Hisattentionisattractedinparticularbya
hugepileofdarkchocolateballsarrangedintheshapeofa
pineapple.Hereachesoutahandtostealoneoftheballs,
butatthesamemomenthehearsgigglingcomingtowardhim.
Heducksdownbehindthepastrytable.

AgirlCONSTANZErushesintotheroom.Sherunsstraight
acrossitandhidesherselfbehindoneofthetables.

Afterabeatoftotalsilence,MOZARTrunsintotheroom,
stops,andlooksaround.Heisagetwentysix,wearinga
finewigandabrilliantcoatwiththeinsigniaofthe
ArchbishopofSalzburguponit.Heispuzzled;Constanzehas
disappeared.

Baffled,heturnsandisabouttoleavetheroom,when
Constanzesuddenlysqueaksfromundertheclothlikeatiny
mouse.InstantlyMozartdropstoallfoursandstartscrawling
acrossthefloor,meowingandhissinglikeanaughtycat.
WatchedbyanastonishedSalieri,Mozartdisappearsunder
theclothandobviouslypouncesuponConstanze.Weheara
highpitchedgiggle,whichisgoingtocharacterizeMozart
throughoutthefilm.

CUTTO:

INT.PALACEGRANDSALONDAY1780'S

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Thethrongismostlyseated.Themusiciansareintheir
places,holdingtheirvariousexoticlookingwindinstruments;
thecandlesarealllit.AMajordomoappearsandbangshis
staffonthefloorforattention.ImmediatelyCOLLOREDO,
PrinceArchbishopofSalzburgenters.Heisasmallself
importantfigureoffiftyinawig,surmountedbyascarlet
skullcap.HeisfollowedbyhisChamberlain,theCountARCO.
Everyonestands.TheArchbishopgoestohisthroneandsits.
Hisguestssitalso.Arcogivesthesignaltostartthemusic.
Nothinghappens.Instead,awindmusiciangetsup,approaches
theChamberlainandwhispersinhisear.Arcointurnwhispers
totheArchbishop.

ARCO
Mozartisnothere.

COLLOREDO
Whereishe?

ARCO
They'relookingforhim,YourGrace.

INT.APALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

Threeservantsareopeningdoorsandlookingintoroomsgoing
offthecorridor.

CUTTO:

INT.PALACEGRANDSALONDAY1780'S

TheguestsareturningaroundandlookingattheArchbishop.
Themusiciansarewatching.Thereispuzzlementandamurmur
ofcomment.TheArchbishoptightenshislip.

COLLOREDO
(toArco)
We'llstartwithouthim.

INT.PALACEBUFFETROOMDAY1780'S

Mozartisonhiskneesbeforethetablecloth,whichreaches
tothefloor.UnderitisConstanze.Wehearhergigglingas
hetalks.

MOZART
Miaouw!Miaouw!Mousewouse?It's
Pusswuss,fangswangs.Pawsclaws.
Pouncebounce!

Hegrabsherankle.Shescreams.Hepullsheroutbyher
leg.

CONSTANZE
Stopit.Stopit!

Theyrollonthefloor.Heticklesher.

CONSTANZE
Stopit!

MOZART
Iam!Iam!I'mstoppingitslowly.
Yousee!Look,I'vestopped.Nowwe
aregoingback.
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Hetriestodragherbackunderthetable.

CONSTANZE
No!No!No!

MOZART
Yes!Back!Back!Listendon'tyou
knowwhereyouare?

CONSTANZE
Where?

MOZART
WeareintheResidenceofthe
FartsbishopofSalzburg.

CONSTANZE
Fartsbishop!

Shelaughsdelightedly,thenaddressesanimaginary
Archbishop.

CONSTANZE
YourGrace,I'vegotsomethingto
tellyou.Iwanttocomplainabout
thisman.

MOZART
Goahead,tellhim.Tellthemall.
Theywon'tunderstandyouanyway.

CONSTANZE
Whynot?

MOZART
Becausehereeverythinggoes
backwards.Peoplewalkbackwards,
dancebackwards,singbackwards,and
talkbackwards.

CONSTANZE
That'sstupid.

MOZART
Why?Peoplefartbackwards.

CONSTANZE
Doyouthinkthat'sfunny?

MOZART
Yes,Ithinkit'sbrilliant.You've
beendoingitforyears.

Hegivesahighpitchedgiggle.

CONSTANZE
Oh,ha,ha,ha.

MOZART
SraI'msick!SraI'msick!

CONSTANZE
Yes,youare.You'reverysick.

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MOZART
No,no.Sayitbackwards,shitwit.
SraI'msickSayitbackwards!

CONSTANZE
(workingitout)
SraI'msick.SickkissI'mmy
Kissmy!SraI'msickKissmyarse!

MOZART
Emiram!Emiram!

CONSTANZE
No,I'mnotplayingthisgame.

MOZART
No,thisisserious.Sayitbackwards.

CONSTANZE
No!

MOZART
Justsayityou'llsee.It'svery
serious.Emiram!Emiram!

CONSTANZE
IrammarryEmmarryme!No,no!
You'reafiend.I'mnotgoingto
marryafiend.Adirtyfiendatthat.

MOZART
Uivolitub!

CONSTANZE
TubbutitubbutIvollove
butIloveuiYou.Iloveyou!

Themoodbecomessuddenlysofter.Shekisseshim.They
embrace.Thenhespoilsit.

MOZART
TishI'mtee.What'sthat?

CONSTANZE
What?

MOZART
TishI'mtee.

CONSTANZE
Eat

MOZART
Yes.

CONSTANZE
Eatmyah!

Shocked,shestrikesathim.Atthesamemomentthemusic
startsinthesalonnextdoor.Weheartheopeningofthe
SerenadeforThirteenWindInstruments,K.

MOZART
Mymusic!They'vestarted!They've
startedwithoutme!
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Heleapsup,disheveledandrumpledandrunsoutoftheroom.
Salieriwatchesinamazementanddisgust.

CUTTO:

INT.PALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

Themusicislouder.MozarthastenstowardstheGrandSalon
awayfromthebuffetroom,adjustinghisdressashegoes.

INT.GRANDSALONDAY1780'S

TheopeningoftheSerenadeisbeingtentativelyconducted
bytheleaderofthewindmusicians.Gueststurnaroundas
MozartappearsbowingtotheArchbishopandwalkswith
anattemptatdignitytothedaiswherethewindbandis
playing.Theleaderyieldshisplacetothecomposerand
Mozartsmoothlytakesoverconducting.

Constanze,deeplyembarrassed,sneaksintotheroomandseats
herselfattheback.

INT.PALACEBUFFETROOMDAY1780'S

Themusicfadesdown.Salieristandsshockedfromhis
inadvertenteavesdropping.Afterasecondhemovesalmostin
atrancetowardthedoor;themusicdissolves.

INT.GRANDSALONDAY1780'S

MozartisconductingtheAdagiofromhisSerenade(K.361),
guidingthethirteenwindinstrumentalists.Thesqueezebox
openingofthemovementbegins.Salieriappearsatthedoor
atthebackofthesalon.HestaresindisbeliefatMozart.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Sothatwashe!Thatgiggling,dirty
mindedcreatureI'djustseencrawling
onthefloor.Mozart.Thephenomenon
whoselegendhadhauntedmyyouth.
Impossible.

ThemusicswellsupandSalierilistenstoitwitheyesclosed
amazed,transportedsuddenlyengulfedbythesound.Finally
itfadesdownandawayandchangesintoapplause.Salieri
openshiseyes.

Theaudienceisclearlydelighted.Mozartbowstothem,also
delighted.Colloredorisesabruptly,andwithoutlookingat
MozartorapplaudingandleavestheSalon.CountArco
approachesthecomposer.Mozartturnstohim,radiant.

ARCO
Followme,please.TheArchbishop
wouldlikeaword.

MOZART
Certainly!

HefollowsArcooutoftheroom,throughathrongofadmirers.

INT.ANOTHERPALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

MozartandArcowalksidebyside.TheypassSalieriwhois
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staringatMozartinfascination.Astheydisappear,hesteals
towardthemusicstands,unabletohelphimself.

MOZART
Well,Ithinkthatwentoffremarkably
well,don'tyou?

ARCO
Indeed.

MOZART
TheseViennesecertainlyknowgood
musicwhentheyhearit.

ARCO
HisGraceisveryangrywithyou.

MOZART
Whatdoyoumean?

TheyarriveatthedoorofColloredo'sprivateapartment.

ARCO
Youaretocomeinhereandaskhis
pardon.

Arcoopensthedoor.

INT.ARCHBISHOP'SPRIVATEROOMDAY1780'S

TheArchbishopissitting,chattingtoquests.Amongthem
areseveralladies.Arcoapproacheshimobsequiously.

ARCO
YourGrace.

COLLOREDO
Ah,Mozart.Why?

MOZART
Whywhat,sir?

COLLOREDO
WhydoIhavetobehumiliatedin
frontofmyguestsbyoneofmyown
servants?

MOZART
Humiliated?

COLLOREDO
HowmuchprovocationamItoendure
fromyou?ThemorelicenseIallow
you,themoreyoutake.

Thecompanywatchesthisscene,deeplyinterested.

MOZART
IfHisGraceisnotsatisfiedwith
me,hecandismissme.

COLLOREDO
Iwishyoutoreturnimmediatelyto
Salzburg.Yourfatheriswaitingfor
youtherepatiently.Iwillspeakto
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youfurtherwhenIcome.

MOZART
No,YourGrace!Imeanwithall
humility,no.Iwouldratheryou
dismissedme.It'sobviousIdon't
satisfy.

COLLOREDO
Thentryharder,Mozart.Ihaveno
intentionofdismissingyou.You
willremaininmyserviceandlearn
yourplace.Gonow.

Heextendshishandtobekissed.Mozartdoesitwitha
furiousgrace,thenleavestheroom.Asheopensthedoorwe
see:

INT.PALACECORRIDORDAY1780'S

Agroupofpeoplewhohaveattendedtheconcert,amongthem
Constanze,arestandingoutsidetheprivateapartment.At
sightofthecomposertheybreakintosustainedapplause.
Mozartissuddenlydelighted.Hethrowsthedoorwideopen

sothattheguestscanseeintotheprivateapartmentwhere
theArchbishopsitsandhecanseethem.Colloredois
clearlydiscomfitedbythisreceptionofhisemployee.He
smilesandbowsuneasily,astheyincludehiminthesmall
ovation.

Mozartstandsinthecorridor,outoftheArchbishop'sline
ofsight,bowingandgiggling,andencouragingtheapplause
fortheArchbishopwithconductinggestures.Suddenly
irritated,ColloredosignstoArco,whostepsforwardand
shutsthedoor,endingtheapplause.

INT.PALACEGRANDSALONDAY1780'S

Salieri,inthisvastroom,isstandingandlookingatthe
fullscoreoftheSerenade.Heturnsthepagesbacktothe
slowmovement.Instantly,weagainhearitslyricalstrains.

CU,Salieri,readingthescoreoftheAdagioinhelpless
fascination.Themusicisplayedagainsthisdescriptionof
it.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Extraordinary!Onthepageitlooked
nothing.Thebeginningsimple,almost
comic.Justapulsebassoonsand
bassethornslikearusty
squeezebox.Thensuddenlyhigh
aboveitanoboe,asinglenote,
hangingthereunwavering,tilla
clarinettookoverandsweetenedit
intoaphraseofsuchdelight!This
wasnocompositionbyaperforming
monkey!ThiswasamusicI'dnever
heard.Filledwithsuchlonging,
suchunfulfillablelonging,ithad
metrembling.ItseemedtomethatI
washearingavoiceofGod.

Suddenlythemusicsnapsoff.Mozartstandsbeforehimashe
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laysdownthescore.

MOZART
Excuseme!

Hetakesthescore,bows,andstrutsbrisklyoutoftheroom.
Salieristaresuncomprehendinglyafterthejauntylittle
figure.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Butwhy?

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
Why?WouldGodchooseanobscene
childtobeHisinstrument?Itwas
nottobebelieved!Thispiecehad
tobeanaccident.Ithadtobe!

INT.PALACEDININGROOMDAY1780'S

AtthetablesitstheEMPERORJOSEPHII,eatinghisfrugal
dinnerandsippinggoat'smilk.Heisanintelligent,dapper
manofforty,wearingamilitaryuniform.Aroundhimbut
standing,arehisChamberlain,JOHANNVONSTRACK:stiffand
highlycorrect.COUNTORSINIROSENBERG:acorpulentmanof
sixty,highlyconsciousofhispositionasDirectorofthe
Opera.BARONVONSWIETEN,theImperialLibrarian:agrave
butkindlyandeducatedmaninhismidfifties.FIRST
KAPELLMEISTERGIUSEPPEBONNO:veryItalian,cringingand
timeserving,agedaboutseventy.AndSalieri,wearing
decorousblack,asusual.

Atasidetable,twoImperialsecretaries,usingquillpens
andinkstands,writedowneverythingofimportancethatis
said.

JOSEPH
Howgoodishe,thisMozart?

VONSWIETEN
He'sremarkable,Majesty.Iheardan
extraordinaryseriousoperaofhis
lastmonth.Idomeneo,KingofCrete.

ORSINIROSENBERG
That?Amosttiresomepiece.Iheard
it,too.

VONSWIETEN
Tiresome?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Ayoungmantryingtoimpressbeyond
hisabilities.Toomuchspice.Too
manynotes.

VONSWIETEN
Majesty,Ithoughtitthemost
promisingworkI'veheardinyears.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Wellthen,weshouldmake
someefforttoacquirehim.Wecould
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useagoodGermancomposerinVienna,
surely?

VONSTRACK
Iagree,Majesty,butI'mafraid
it'snotpossible.Theyoungmanis
stillinthepayoftheArchbishop.

JOSEPH
Verysmallpay,Iimagine.I'msure
hecouldbetemptedwiththeright
offer.Say,anoperainGermanfor
ourNationalTheatre.

VONSWIETEN
Excellent,sire!

ORSINIROSENBERG
ButnotGerman,IbegyourMajesty!
Italianistheproperlanguagefor
opera.Alleducatedpeopleagreeon
that.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Whatdoyousay,Chamberlain?

VONSTRACK
Inmyopinion,itistimewehada
pieceinourownlanguage,sir.Plain
German.Forplainpeople.

HelooksdefiantlyatOrsiniRosenberg.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Kapellmeister?

BONNO
(Italianaccent)
Majesty,ImustagreewithHerr
Dirretore.OperaisanItalianart,
solamente.Germanisscusatetoo
brutaforsinging,toorough.

JOSEPH
Ahha.CourtComposer,whatdoyou
say?

SALIERI
Ithinkitisaninterestingnotion
tokeepMozartinVienna,Majesty.
Itshouldreallyinfuriatethe
Archbishopbeyondmeasureifthat
isyourMajesty'sintention.

JOSEPH
Youarecattivo,CourtComposer.
(briskly,toVonStrack)
Iwanttomeetthisyoungman.
Chamberlain,arrangeapleasant
welcomeforhim.

VONSTRACK
Yes,sir.

JOSEPH
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Well.Thereitis.

INT.BEDROOMINSALIERI'SAPARTMENTDAY1780'S

Asomberroomwhichservesbothasabedroomandastudy.
Weseeafourposterbed.Also,amarblemantelpieceabove
whichhangsahandsomecrossinolivewood,bearingthefigure
ofasevereChrist.OppositethisimagesitsSalieriathis
desk,onwhichstandsapileofmusicpaper,quillpensand
ink.Ononesideofhimisanopenfortepianoonwhichhe
occasionallytriesnotesfromthemarchheiscomposing,
withsomedifficulty.Hescratchesnotesoutwithhisquill,
andruffleshishairwhichweseewithoutapowderedwig.
Thereisaknockatthedoor.

SALIERI
Si.

AservantadmitsLORL,ayounglowerclassgirl,whoappears
carryingabasketinwhichisaboxcoveredwithanapkin.
Shehasjustcomefromthebaker'sshop.

SALIERI
Ah!Hereshecomes.FrauleinLorl,
goodmorning.

LORL
Goodmorning,sir.

SALIERI
Whathaveyougotformetoday?Let
mesee.

Greedilyheunwrapsthenapkinandliftsthelidonthebox.

SALIERI
Ahha!Sienamacaroonsmy
favourites.Givemybestthanksto
thebaker.

LORL
Iwill,sir.

Hetakesabiscuitandeats.

SALIERI
Thankyou.Areyouwelltoday,
FrauleinLorl?

LORL
Yes,thankyou,sir.

SALIERI
Bene!Bene!

Shegivesalittlecurtsey,flatteredandgigglingandis
shownout.Salieriturnsbacktohiswork,chewing.Heplays
throughacompletelineofthemarch.Hesmiles,pleased
withtheresult.

SALIERI
Grazie,Signore.

HeinclineshisheadtotheChristabovethefireplace,and
startstoplaythewholemarch,includingthephrasewhich
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pleasedhim.

INT.AWIGMAKER'SSHOPVIENNADAY1780'S

ThemarchcontinuesonthefortepianoasweseeMozart,
seatedinfrontofamirror,wearinganextravagantwig.On
eithersideofhimstandsaSALESMAN,oneofthemholding
anotherwig,equallyextravagant.Mozarttakesoffthefirst
wig,torevealhisownblondehair,ofwhichheisextremely
proud,andhandsitback.

MOZART
Andtheotherone?

TheSalesmanputsthesecondwigonhishead.Mozartpullsa
faceofdoubtinthemirror.

MOZART
Andtheotherone?

HetakesitoffandtheotherSalesmanreplacesitwiththe
firstwigonhishead.

MOZART
Oh,they'rebothsobeautiful,I
can'tdecide.Whydon'tIhavetwo
heads?

Hegiggles.Themusicstops.

INT.GRANDSALONTHEROYALPALACEDAY1780'S

Adooropens.WeglimpseinthenextroomtheEmperorJoseph
biddinggoodbyetoagroupofmilitaryofficersstanding
aroundatable.

JOSEPH
Good,good,good.

Heturnsandcomesintothesalon,whereanothergroupawaits
him.ItconsistsofVonStrack,OrsiniRosenberg,Bonno,Von
SwietenandSalieri.Theroomcontainsseveralgildedchairs
dottedabout,andafortepiano.

JOSEPH
Goodmorning,gentlemen.

Allbowandsay,Goodmorning,YourMajesty!

JOSEPH
(toVonStrack)
Well,whatdoyouhaveformetoday?

VONSTRACK
YourMajesty,HerrMozart

JOSEPH
Yes,whatabouthim?

VONSTRACK
He'shere.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Well.Thereitis.Good.

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SALIERI
Majesty,Ihopeyouwon'tthinkit
improper,butIhavewrittenalittle
MarchofWelcomeinhishonour.

Heproducesapaper.

JOSEPH
Whatacharmingidea.MayIsee?

SALIERI
(handingitover)
It'sjustatrifle,ofcourse.

JOSEPH
MayItryit?

SALIERI
Majesty.

TheEmperorgoestotheinstrument,sitsandplaysthefirst
barsofit.Quitewell.

JOSEPH
Delightful,CourtComposer.Would
youpermitmetoplayitashecomes
in?

SALIERI
Youdometoomuchhonour,Sire.

JOSEPH
Let'shavesomefun.
(tothewaiting
Majordomo)
BringinHerrMozart,please.But
slowly,slowly.Ineedaminuteto
practice.

TheMajordomobowsandgoes.TheEmperoraddresseshimself
tothemarch.Heplaysawrongnote.

SALIERI
Aflat,Majesty.

JOSEPH
Ahha!

INT.PALACECORRIDORVIENNADAY1780'S

Takinghisinstructionsliterally,theMajordomoismarching
veryslowlytowardthesalondoor.Heisfollowedbya
bewilderedMozart,dressedverystylishlyandwearingoneof
thewigsfromtheperruqier.

INT.ROYALPALACEGRANDSALONDAY1780'S

Josephfinishesthemarch.Thedooropens.

MAJORDOMO
HerrMozart.

Mozartcomesineagerly.Immediatelythemarchbegins,played
byHisMajesty.Allthecourtiersstand,listeningwith
admiration.Josephplayswell,butapplieshimselffiercely
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tothemanuscript.Mozart,stillbewildered,regardsthe
scene,butdoesnotseemtopayattentiontothemusicitself.
Itfinishesandallclapobsequiously.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Bravo,YourMajesty!

VONSTRACK
Welldone,Sire!

TheEmperorrises,pleasedwithhimself.Hesnatchesthe
manuscriptoffthestandandholdsitinhishandforthe
restofthescene.

JOSEPH
Gentlemen,gentlemen,alittleless
enthusiasm,Ibegyou.Ah,Mozart.

Heextendshishand.Mozartthrowshimselftohisknees,and
toJoseph'sdiscomfortkissestheroyalhandwithfervour.

MOZART
YourMajesty!

JOSEPH
No,no,please!Itisnotaholy
relic.
(raisingMozartup)
Youknowwehavemetalready?In
thisveryroom.Perhapsyouwon't
rememberit,youwereonlysixyears
old.
(totheothers)
Hewasgivingthemostbrilliant
littleconcerthere.Ashegotoff
thestool,heslippedandfell.My
sisterAntoinettehelpedhimup
herself,anddoyouknowwhathe
did?Jumpedstraightintoherarms
andsaid,Willyoumarryme,yesor
no?

Embarrassed,Mozartburstsintoawildgiggle.Josephhelps
himout.

JOSEPH
Youknowallthesegentlemen,I'm
sure.

VonStrackandBonnonod.

JOSEPH
TheBaronVonSwieten.

VONSWIETEN
I'magreatadmirerofyours,young
man.Welcome.

MOZART
Oh,thankyou.

JOSEPH
TheDirectorofourOpera.Count
OrsiniRosenberg.

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MOZART
(bowingexcitedly)
Ohsir,yes!Thehonourismine.
Absolutely.

OrsiniRosenbergnodswithoutenthusiasm.

JOSEPH
AndhereisourillustriousCourt
Composer,HerrSalieri.

SALIERI
(takinghishand)
Finally!Suchanimmensejoy.Diletto
straordinario!

MOZART
Iknowyourworkwell,Signore.Do
youknowIactuallycomposedsome
variationsonamelodyofyours?

SALIERI
Really?

MOZART
MiocaroAdone.

SALIERI
Ah!

MOZART
Afunnylittletune,butityielded
somegoodthings.

JOSEPH
Andnowhehasreturnedthe
compliment.HerrSaliericomposed
thatMarchofWelcomeforyou.

MOZART
(speakingexpertly)
Really?Oh,grazie,Signore!Sono
commosso!Eunonorepermo
eccezionale.Compositorebrilliante
efamossissimo!

Hebowselaborately.Salieriinclineshimself,dryly.

SALIERI
Mypleasure.

JOSEPH
Well,thereitis.Nowtobusiness.
Youngman,wearegoingtocommission
anoperafromyou.Whatdoyousay?

MOZART
Majesty!

JOSEPH
(tothecourtiers)
DidwevoteintheendforGermanor
Italian?

ORSINIROSENBERG
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Well,actually,Sire,ifyouremember,
wedidfinallyinclinetoItalian.

VONSTRACK
Didwe?

VONSWIETEN
Idon'tthinkitwasreallydecided,
Director.

MOZART
Oh,German!German!Pleaseletitbe
German.

JOSEPH
Whyso?

MOZART
BecauseI'vealreadyfoundthemost
wonderfullibretto!

ORSINIROSENBERG
Oh?HaveIseenit?

MOZART
IIdon'tthinkyouhave,Herr
Director.Notyet.Imean,it'squite
nOfcourse,I'llshowittoyou
immediately.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Ithinkyou'dbetter.

JOSEPH
Well,whatisitabout?Tellusthe
story.

MOZART
It'sactuallyquiteamusing,Majesty.
It'ssetthewholethingisset
inaina

Hestopsshortwithalittlegiggle.

JOSEPH
Yes,where?

MOZART
InaPasha'sHarem,Majesty.A
Seraglio.

JOSEPH
Ahha.

ORSINIROSENBERG
YoumeaninTurkey?

MOZART
Exactly.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Thenwhyespeciallydoesithaveto
beinGerman?

MOZART
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Wellnotespecially.Itcanbein
Turkish,ifyoureallywant.Idon't
care.

Hegigglesagain.OrsiniRosenberglooksathimsourly.

VONSWIETEN
(kindly)
Mydearfellow,thelanguageisnot
finallythepoint.Doyoureally
thinkthatsubjectisquite
appropriateforanationaltheatre?

MOZART
Whynot?It'scharming.Imean,I
don'tactuallyshowconcubines
exposingtheir!their!It'snot
indecent!
(toJoseph)
It'shighlymoral,Majesty.It's
fullofproperGermanvirtues.I
swearit.Absolutely!

JOSEPH
Well,I'mgladtohearthat.

SALIERI
Excuseme,Sire,butwhatdoyou
thinkthesecouldbe?Beinga
foreigner,Iwouldlovetolearn.

JOSEPH
Cattivoagain,CourtComposer.Well,
tellhim,Mozart.NameusaGerman
virtue.

MOZART
Love,Sire!

SALIERI
Ah,love!WellofcourseinItalywe
knownothingaboutthat.

TheItalianfactionOrsiniRosenbergandBonnolaugh
discreetly.

MOZART
No,Idon'tthinkyoudo.Imean
watchingItalianopera,allthose
malesopranosscreeching.Stupidfat
couplesrollingtheireyesabout!
That'snotloveit'sjustrubbish.

Anembarrassedpause.Bonnogigglesinnervousamusement.

MOZART
Majesty,youchoosethelanguage.It
willbemytasktosetittothe
finestmusiceverofferedamonarch.

Pause.Josephisclearlypleased.

JOSEPH
Well,thereitis.LetitbeGerman.

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Henodshehaswantedthisresultallthetime.Heturns
andmakesforthedoor.Allbow.Thenhebecomesawareof
themanuscriptinhishand.

JOSEPH
Ah,thisisyours.

Mozartdoesnottakeit.

MOZART
Keepit,Sire,ifyouwantto.Itis
alreadyhereinmyhead.

JOSEPH
What?Ononehearingonly?

MOZART
Ithinkso,Sire,yes.

Pause.

JOSEPH
Showme.

MozartbowsandhandsthemanuscriptbacktotheEmperor.
Thenhegoestothefortepianoandseatshimself.Theothers,
exceptforSalieri,gatheraroundthemanuscriptheldbythe
King.Mozartplaysthefirsthalfofthemarchwithdeadly
accuracy.

MOZART
(toSalieri)
Therestisjustthesame,isn'tit?

Heplaysthefirsthalfagainbutstopsinthemiddleofa
phrase,whichherepeatsdubiously.

MOZART
Thatreallydoesn'twork,doesit?

AllthecourtierslookatSalieri.

MOZART
Didyoutrythis?Wouldn'titbe
justalittlemore?

Heplaysanotherphrase.

MOZART
Orthisyes,this!Better.

Heplaysanotherphrase.Gradually,healtersthemusicso
thatitturnsintothecelebratedmarchtobeusedlaterin
TheMarriageofFigaro,NonPiuAndrai.Heplaysitwith
increasingabandonandvirtuosity.Salieriwatcheswitha
fixedsmileonhisface.Thecourtwatches,astonished.He
finishesingreatglory,takeshishandsoffthekeyswitha
gestureoftriumphandgrins.

INT.BEDROOMINSALIERI'SAPARTMENTDAY1780'S

Weseetheolivewoodcross.Salieriissittingathisdesk,
staringatit.

SALIERI
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Grazie,Signore.

Thereisaknockatthedoor.Hedoesnothearit,butsits
on.Anotherknock,louder.

SALIERI
Yes?

Lorlcomesin.

LORL
MadameCavalieriishereforher
lesson,sir.

SALIERI
Bene.

Hegetsupandenters:

INT.MUSICROOMINSALIERI'SAPARTMENTDAY1780'S

KATHERINACAVALIERI,ayoung,highspiritedsopranooftwenty
iswaitingforhim,dressedinafashionabledressandwearing
onherheadanexoticturbanofsatin,withafeather.Lorl
exits.

CAVALIERI
(curtseyingtohim)
Maestro.

SALIERI
Goodmorning.

CAVALIERI
(posing,inherturban)
Well?Howdoyoulikeit?It's
Turkish.Myhairdressertellsme
everything'sgoingtobeTurkish
thisyear!

SALIERI
Really?Whatelsedidhetellyou
today?Givemesomegossip.

CAVALIERI
Well,IheardyoumetHerrMozart.

SALIERI
Oh?NewstravelsfastinVienna.

CAVALIERI
Andhe'sbeencommissionedtowrite
anopera.Isittrue?

SALIERI
Yes.

CAVALIERI
Isthereapartforme?

SALIERI
No.

CAVALIERI
Howdoyouknow?
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SALIERI
Wellevenifthereis,Idon'tthink
youwanttogetinvolvedwiththis
one.

CAVALIERI
Whynot?

SALIERI
Well,doyouknowwhereit'sset,my
dear?

CAVALIERI
Where?

SALIERI
Inaharem.

CAVALIERI
What'sthat?

SALIERI
Abrothel.

CAVALIERI
Oh!

SALIERI
ATurkishbrothel.

CAVALIERI
Turkish?Oh,ifit'sTurkish,that's
different.Iwanttobeinit.

SALIERI
Mydear,itwillhardlyenhanceyour
reputationtobecelebratedthroughout
Viennaasasingingprostitutefora
Turk.

Heseatshimselfatthefortepiano.

CAVALIERI
Oh.Wellperhapsyoucouldintroduce
usanyway.

SALIERI
Perhaps.

Heplaysachord.Shesingsascale,expertly.Hestrikes
anotherchord.Shestartsanotherscale,thenbreaksoff.

CAVALIERI
Whatdoeshelooklike?

SALIERI
Youmightbedisappointed.

CAVALIERI
Why?

SALIERI
Looksandtalentdon'talwaysgo
together,Katherina.
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CAVALIERI
(airily)
Looksdon'tconcernme,Maestro.
Onlytalentinterestsawomanof
taste.

Hestrikesthechordagain,firmly.Cavalierisingshernext
scale,thenanotherone,andanotherone,doingherexercises
inearnest.Asshehitsasustainedhighnotetheorchestral
accompanimentinthemiddleofMarternAllerArtenfromIl
Seragliocomesinunderneathandthemusicchangesfrom
exercisestotheexceedinglyfloridaria.

WeDISSOLVEonthesinger'sface,andsheissuddenlynot
merelyturbaned,butpaintedanddressedtotallyinaTurkish
manner,andweareon:

INT.OPERASTAGEVIENNA1780'S

Theheroineoftheopera(Cavalieri)isinfullcryaddressing
thePashawithscornanddefiance.

Thehouseisfull.Watchingtheperformancewhichis
conductedbyMozartfromtheclavierinthemidstofthe
orchestrawenoteVonStrack,OrsiniRosenberg,Bonnoand
VonSwieten,allgroupedaroundtheEmperor,inabox.

Inanotherboxweseeanoverdressed,middleagedwomanand
threegirls,oneofwhomisConstanze.Thisistheformidable
MADAMEWEBERandherthreedaughters,Constanze,JOSEFAand
SOPHIE.AllareenrapturedbythespectacleandMadameWeber
isespeciallyenrapturedbybeingthereatall.Notso,
Salieri,whositsinanotherbox,coldlywatchingthestage.

CavalieriissingingMarternallerArtenfromthelineDoch
dubistentschlossen.

CAVALIERI
Sinceyouaredetermined,Sinceyou
aredetermined,Calmly,withno
ferment,Welcomeeverypainand
woe.Bindmethencompelme!Bind
methencompelme!Hurtme.Break
me!Killme!AtlastIshallbefreed
bydeath!

Afterafewmomentsofthisshowyaria,withthecomposer
andthesingerstaringateachotherheconducting
elaboratelyforherbenefit,andshefollowinghisbeatwith
rapturouseyesthemusicfades,andSalierispeaksover
it.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Thereshewas.Ihadnoideawhere
theymetorhowyetthereshe
stoodonstageforalltosee.Showing
offlikethegreedysongbirdshe
was.Tenminutesofghastlyscales
andarpeggios,whizzingupanddown
likefireworksatafairground.

Musicupagainforthelast30barsofthearia.

CAVALIERI
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(singing)
Befreedatlastbydeath!Befreed
atlastbydeath!AtlastIshallbe
freedBy!Death!

Beforetheorchestralcodaends,cutto:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

Throughthewindowweseethatnighthasfallen.

OLDSALIERI
Understand,Iwasinlovewiththe
girl.Oratleastinlust.Iwasn't
asaint.Ittookmethemost
tremendousefforttobefaithfulto
myvow.IsweartoyouIneverlaid
afingeronher.Allthesame,I
couldn'tbeartothinkofanyone
elsetouchingherleastofallthe
Creature.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.THEOPERAHOUSEVIENNANIGHT1780'S

ThebrilliantTurkishfinaleofSeraglioburstsoverus.
Allthecastislineduponstage.Mozartisconductingwith
happyexcitement.

CASTOFSERAGLIO
(singing)
PashaSelimMayheLiveforever!
Ever,ever,ever,ever!Honourto
hisregalname!Honourtohisregal
name!Mayhisnoblebrowemblazon
Glory,fortune,joyandfame!Honour
betoPashaSelimHonourtohisregal
name!Honourtohisregalname!

Thecurtainsfall.Muchapplause.TheEmperorclapsvigorously
andfollowinghisleadsodothecourtiers.Thecurtains
part.Mozartapplaudsthesingerswhoapplaudhimback.He
skipsupontothestageamongstthem.Thecurtainsfallagain
astheyallbow.Intheauditorium,thechandeliersdescend,
fillingitwithlight.

INT.OPERAHOUSESTAGEVIENNANIGHT1780'S

Thecurtainsaredown,andanexcitedhubbubofsingersin
costumesurroundMozartandCavalieri,allexcitedand
chattering.Suddenlyahush.TheEmperorisseenapproaching
fromthewings,litbyflunkiesholdingcandles.VonStrack,
OrsiniRosenbergandVonSwieten,amongstothers,follow
him.AlsoSalieri.Thesingerslineup.Josephstopsat
Cavalieriwhomakesadeepcurtsey.

JOSEPH
Bravo,Madame.Youareanornament
toourstage.

CAVALIERI
Majesty.

JOSEPH
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(toSalieri)
Andtoyou,CourtComposer.Your
pupilhasdoneyougreatcredit.

INT.BACKSTAGECORRIDORVIENNANIGHT1780'S

MADAMEWEBER
Letuspass,please!Letuspassat
once!We'rewiththeEmperor.

FLUNKY
Iamsorry,Madame.Itisnot
permitted.

MADAMEWEBER
DoyouknowwhoIam?
(pointingtoConstanze)
Thisismydaughter.IamFrauWeber.
Wearefavouredguests!

FLUNKY
Iamsorry,Madame,butIhavemy
orders.

MADAMEWEBER
CallHerrMozart!YoucallHerrMozart
immediately!Thisisinsupportable!

CONSTANZE
Mother,please!

MADAMEWEBER
Goahead,Constanze.Justignore
thisfellow.
(pushingher)
Goahead,dear!

FLUNKY
(barringtheway)
Iamsorry,Madame,butno!Icannot
letanyonepass.

MADAMEWEBER
Youngman,Iamnostrangerto
theatres.I'mnostrangerto
insolence!

CUTBACKTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSESTAGEVIENNANIGHT1780'S

AllareapplaudingCavalieri.TheEmperorturnstoMozart.

JOSEPH
Well,HerrMozart!Agoodeffort.
Decidedlythat.Anexcellenteffort!
You'veshownussomethingquitenew
today.

Mozartbowsfrantically:heisoverexcited.

MOZART
Itisnew,itis,isn'tit,Sire?

JOSEPH
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Yes,indeed.

MOZART
AndGerman?

JOSEPH
Oh,yes.Absolutely.German.
Unquestionably!

MOZART
Sothenyoulikeit?Youreallylike
it,YourMajesty?

JOSEPH
OfcourseIdo.It'sverygood.Of
coursenowandthenjustnowand
thenitgetsatouchelaborate.

MOZART
Whatdoyoumean,Sire?

JOSEPH
Well,Imeanoccasionallyitseems
tohave,howshallonesay?
(hestopsin
difficulty;toOrsini
Rosenberg)
Howshallonesay,Director?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Toomanynotes,YourMajesty?

JOSEPH
Exactly.Verywellput.Toomany
notes.

MOZART
Idon'tunderstand.Therearejust
asmanynotes,Majesty,asare
required.Neithermorenorless.

JOSEPH
Mydearfellow,thereareinfact
onlysomanynotestheearcanhear
inthecourseofanevening.Ithink
I'mrightinsayingthat,aren'tI,
CourtComposer?

SALIERI
Yes!yes!er,onthewhole,yes,
Majesty.

MOZART
(toSalieri)
Butthisisabsurd!

JOSEPH
Mydear,youngman,don'ttakeit
toohard.Yourworkisingenious.
It'squalitywork.Andthereare
simplytoomanynotes,that'sall.
Cutafewanditwillbeperfect.

MOZART
Whichfewdidyouhaveinmind,
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Majesty?

Pause.Generalembarrassment.

JOSEPH
Well.Thereitis.

Intothisuncomfortablesceneburstsasuddeneruptionof
noiseandMadameWeberfloodsontothestage,followedby
herdaughters.Allturntolookatthisamazingspectacle.

MADAMEWEBER
Wolfi!Wolfi,mydear!

ShemovestowardMozartwitharmsoutstretchedinanabsurd
theatricalgesture,thenseestheEmperor.Shestaresat
him,mesmerized,hermouthopen,unableeventocurtsey.

MADAMEWEBER
Oh!

Mozartmovesforwardquickly.

MOZART
Majesty,thisisMadameWeber.She
ismylandlady.

JOSEPH
Enchanted,Madame.

MADAMEWEBER
Oh,Sire!suchanhonour!And,and,
andthesearemydeardaughters.
ThisisConstanze.Sheisthefiancee
ofHerrMozart.

Constanzecurtsies.CU,ofCavalieri,astonishedatthenews.
CU,ofSalieri,watchingherreceiveit.

JOSEPH
Really?Howdelightful.MayIask
whenyoumarry?

MOZART
WellWellwehaven'tquitereceived
myfather'sconsent,YourMajesty.
Notentirely.Notaltogether.

Hegigglesuncomfortably.

JOSEPH
Excuseme,buthowoldareyou?

MOZART
Twentysix.

JOSEPH
Well,myadviceistomarrythis
charmingyoungladyandstaywithus
inVienna.

MADAMEWEBER
Yousee?Yousee?I'vetoldhimthat,
YourMajesty,buthewon'tlistento
me.
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CavalieriisglaringatMozart.Mozartlookshastilyaway
fromher.

MADAMEWEBER
Oh,YourMajesty,yougivesuch
wonderfulsuchimpeccablesuch
royaladvice.IIMayI?

Sheattemptstokisstheroyalhand,butfaintsinstead.
TheEmperorcontemplatesherpronebodyandstepsbacka
pace.

JOSEPH
Well.Thereitis.Strack.

Henodspleasantlytoallandleavesthestage,withhis
Chamberlain.Allbow.

CavalieriturnswithasavagelookatMozartandleavesthe
stagetheoppositeway,toherdressingroom,tossingher
plumedhead.Salieriwatches.Mozartstaysforasecond,
indecisivewhethertofollowthesopranoorhelpMadameWeber.

CONSTANZE
(toMozart)
Getsomewater!

Hehurriesaway.ThedaughtersgatheraroundMadameWeber.

INT.CAVALIERI'SDRESSINGROOMNIGHT1780'S

Katherinasitsfumingathermirror.Adresseristakingthe
pinsoutofherwigasshestaresstraightaheadofher.
Mozartstickshisheadroundthedoor.

MOZART
Katherina!I'lltellyouwhatI'm
goingtodo.I'mgoingtowrite
anotherariaforyou.Somethingeven
moreamazingforthesecondact.I
havetogetsomewater.Hermother
islyingonthestage.

CAVALIERI
Don'tbother!

MOZART
What?

CAVALIERI
Don'tbother.

MOZART
I'llberightback.

Hedashesoff.

INT.OPERAHOUSESTAGEVIENNANIGHT1780'S

ConstanzeandMozartmaketheirwayquicklythroughacrowd
ofactorsinturbansandcaftans,andstagehandscarrying
bitsofthedismantledsetofSeraglio.Weseealltheturmoil
ofbackstageafteraperformance.

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AfiremanpassesMozartcarryingasmallbucketofwater.
Mozartsnatchesitfromhimandpusheshiswaythroughthe
crowdtoMadameWeber,whostillliesproneonthestage.

Mozartpushesthroughthecrowdsurroundingherandthrows
wateronherface.Sheisinstantlyrevivedbytheshock.
Constanzeassistshertorise.

CONSTANZE
Areyouallright?

Insteadofbeingfurious,MadameWebersmilesatthem
rapturously.

MADAMEWEBER
Ah,whatanevening!Whatawiseman
wehaveforanEmperor.Oh,my
children!
(withsudden,hard
briskness)
NowIwantyoutowriteyourfather
exactlywhatHisMajestysaid.

Theactivitycontinuestoswirlaroundthem.

MOZART
Youshouldreallygohomenow,Frau
Weber.Yourcarriagemustbewaiting.

MADAMEWEBER
Butaren'tyoutakingus?

MOZART
Ihavetotalktothesingers.

MADAMEWEBER
That'sallright;we'llwaitfor
you.Justdon'ttakeallnight.

INT.CAVALIERI'SDRESSINGROOMNIGHT1780'S

Cavalieri,stillincostume,ismarchingupanddown,very
agitated.

CAVALIERI
Didyouknow?Hadyouheard?

SALIERI
What?

CAVALIERI
Themarriage!

SALIERI
Well,whatdoesitmattertoyou?

CAVALIERI
Nothing!Hecanmarrywhohepleases.
Idon'tgiveadamn.

Shecatcheshimlookingatherandtriestocomposeherself.

CAVALIERI
HowwasI?Tellmehonestly.

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SALIERI
Youweresublime.

CAVALIERI
Whatdidyouthinkofthemusic?

SALIERI
Extremelyclever.

CAVALIERI
Meaningyoudidn'tlikeit.

Mozartcomesinunexpectedly.

MOZART
Ohexcuseme!

CAVALIERI
Ishermotherstilllyingonthe
floor?

MOZART
No,she'sfine.

CAVALIERI
I'msorelieved.

Sheseatsherselfathermirrorandremovesherwig.

SALIERI
DearMozart,mysincere
congratulations.

MOZART
Didyoulikeit,then?

SALIERI
HowcouldInot?

MOZART
Itreallyisthebestmusiconecan
hearinViennatoday.Don'tyouagree?

CAVALIERI
Issheagoodfuck?

MOZART
What??

CAVALIERI
Iassumeshe'sthevirtuosointhat
department.Therecan'tbeanyother
reasonyou'dmarrysomeonelikethat.

Salierilooksastonished.Thereisaknockonthedoor.

CAVALIERI
Comein!

Thedooropens.Constanzeenters.

CONSTANZE
Excuseme,Wolfi.Mamaisnotfeeling
verywell.Canweleavenow?

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MOZART
Ofcourse.

CAVALIERI
No,no,no,no.Youcan'ttakehim
awaynow.Thisishisnight.Won't
youintroduceus,Wolfgang?

MOZART
Excuseus,Fraulein.Goodnight,
Signore.

MozarthurriesConstanzeoutofthedoor.Cavalierilooks
afterthemastheygo,hervoicebreakingandrisingoutof
control.

CAVALIERI
Youreallyarefullofsurprises,
aren'tyou?Youarequite
extraordinary,youlittleshit!

Sheturnsandcollapses,cryingwithrage,intoSalieri's
arms.Wefocusonhim.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
AtthatmomentIknewbeyondany
doubt.He'dhadher.TheCreature
hadhadmydarlinggirl.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1820'S

Theoldmanspeakspassionatelytothepriest.

OLDSALIERI
Itwasincomprehensible.Whatwas
Godupto?HereIwasdenyingallmy
naturallustinordertodeserve
God'sgiftandtherewasMozart
indulginghisinalldirections
eventhoughengagedtobemarried!
andnorebukeatall!Wasitpossible
Iwasbeingtested?WasGodexpecting
metoofferforgivenessintheface
ofeveryoffense,nomatterhow
painful?Thatwasverypossible.All
thesame,whyhim?WhyuseMozartto
teachmelessonsinhumility?My
heartwasfillingupwithsuchhatred
forthatlittleman.Forthefirst
timeinmylifeIbegantoknowreally
violentthoughts.Icouldn'tstop
them.

VOGLER
Didyoutry?

OLDSALIERI
Everyday.SometimesforhoursI
wouldpray!

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMDAY1780'S

TheyoungSalieriiskneelingindesperationbeforetheCross.

SALIERI
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Please!Please!Sendhimaway,back
toSalzburg.Forhissakeaswellas
mine.

CU,ChriststaringfromtheCross.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.AUDIENCEHALLARCHBISHOP'SPALACESALZBURGDAY
1780'S

WeseeLeopoldkneelingnownottotheCrossbuttoArchbishop
Colloredo,sittingimpassivelyonhisthrone.CountArco
standsbesidehim.Leopoldisadesperate,oncehandsomeman
ofsixty,nowfartoomuchthesubservientcourtier.

COLLOREDO
No!Iwon'thavehimback.

LEOPOLD
ButheneedstobehereinSalzburg,
YourGrace.Heneedsmeandheneeds
you.Yourprotection,your
understanding.

COLLOREDO
Hardly.

LEOPOLD
Ohsir,yes!He'sabouttomakethe
worstmistakeofhislife.Somelittle
Vienneseslutistryingtotrickhim
intomarriage.Iknowmyson.Heis
toosimpletoseethetrapand
thereisnoonetherewhoreally
caresforhim.

COLLOREDO
I'mnotsurprised.Moneyseemstobe
moreimportanttohimthanloyalty
orfriendship.Hehassoldhimself
toVienna.LetViennalookoutfor
him.

LEOPOLD
Sir

COLLOREDO
Yoursonisanunprincipled,spoiled,
conceitedbrat.

LEOPOLD
Yes,sir,that'sthetruth.Butdon't
blamehim.Thefaultismine.Iwas
tooindulgentwithhim.Butnotagain.
Neveragain,Ipromise!Iimplore
youletmebringhimbackhere.
I'llmakehimgivehiswordtoserve
youfaithfully.

COLLOREDO
Andhowwillyoumakehimkeepit?

LEOPOLD
Oh,sir,he'sneverdisobeyedmein
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anything.Please,YourGrace,give
himonemorechance.

COLLOREDO
Youhaveleavetotry.

LEOPOLD
Oh,YourGraceIthankYourGrace!
Ithankyou!

IndeepestgratitudehekissestheArchbishop'shand.He
motionsLeopoldtorise.Wehearthefirstdarkfortissimo
chordwhichbeginstheOverturetoDonGiovanni:thetheme
associatedwiththecharacteroftheCommendatore.

LEOPOLD(V.O.)
Mydearson.

Thesecondfortissimochordsounds.

INT.ABAROQUECHURCHDAY1780'S

WeseeahugeCU,ofMozart'shead,lookingfrontanddown,
asifreadinghisfather'sletter.WehearLeopold'svoice
overthisimage,nolongerwhiningandanxious,but
impressive.

LEOPOLD(V.O.)
Iwritetoyouwithurgentnews.I
amcomingtoVienna.Takenofurther
stepstowardmarriageuntilwemeet.
Youaretoogullibletoseeyourown
danger.Asyouhonourthefatherwho
hasdevotedhisentirelifetoyours,
doasIbid,andawaitmycoming.

MOZART
Iwill.

Thecamerapullsbacktoseethatheisinfactkneeling
besideConstanze.APRIESTfacesthem.BehindthemareMadame
Weber,JosefaandSophieWeber,andaveryfewothers.Among
them,amerrylookingladyinbrightclothes:theBARONESS
WALDSTADTEN.

PRIEST
Andwillyou,ConstanzeWeber,take
thisman,Wolfgangtobeyourlawful
husband?

CONSTANZE
Iwill.

PRIEST
Inowpronounceyoumanandwife.

TheopeningkyrieofthegreatMassinCMinorisheard.
MozartandConstanzekiss.Theyareintears.MadameWeber
andherdaughterslookonapprovingly.Themusicswellsand
continuesunderthefollowing:

INT.AROOMINLEOPOLD'SHOUSESALZBURGNIGHT1780'S

Thereisaviewofacastleinbackground.Leopoldsitsalone
inhisroom.HeisreadingaletterfromWolfgang.Athis
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feetarehistrunks,halfpackedforthejourneyhewillnot
nowtake.WehearMozart'svoicereadingthefollowingletter
andwesee,asthecamerarovesaroundtheroom,mementosof
theyoungprodigy'searlylife:thelittlefortepianomade
forhim;thelittleviolinmadeforhim;anOrderpresented
tohim.Weseealittlestarlinginawickercage.Andwe
seeportraitsoftheboyonthewalls,concludingwiththe
familiarfamilyportraitofWolfgangandhissisterNannerl
seatedatthekeyboardwithLeopoldstanding,andthepicture
oftheirmotheronthewallbehindthem.

MOZART(V.O.)
Mostbelovedfather,itisdone.Do
notblamemethatIdidnotwaitto
seeyourdearface.Iknewyouwould
havetriedtodissuademefrommy
truesthappinessandIcouldnot
haveborneit.Youreverywordis
precioustome.Rememberhowyou
havealwaystoldmeViennaisthe
CityofMusicians.Toconquerhere
istoconquerEurope!WithmywifeI
candoit.IvowIwillbecome
regularinmyhabitsandproductive
asneverbefore.Sheiswonderful,
Papa,andIknowthatyouwilllove
her.AndonedaysoonwhenIama
wealthyman,youwillcomeandlive
withus,andwewillbesohappy.I
longforthatday,bestofPapas,
andkissyourhandahundredthousand
times.

ThemusicoftheMassfadesasLeopoldcrumplestheletter
inhishand.

EXT.THEIMPERIALGARDENSVIENNADAY1780'S

Salieristandswaiting,hatinhand.Besidehimstandsa
royalservant.Behindhim,gardenersareglimpsedtending
theshrubsandbushesalongagrassyride.Downthisride
areseencanteringtwopeopleonhorseback:theEmperorJoseph
andhisniece,thePRINCESSELIZABETH.Theyaremountedon
glossyhorses.ThePrincessridessidesaddle.Runningbeside
herisapantinggroom.TheEmperorrideselegantly;his
niece,adumpylittleHapsburggirlofsixteen,likeasack
ofpotatoes.AstheydrawlevelwithSalieritheystop,and
thegroomholdstheheadofthePrincess'horse.Salieri
bowsrespectfully.

JOSEPH
Goodmorning,CourtComposer.This
ismyniece,thePrincessElizabeth.

SALIERI
YourHighness.

Outofbreath,thePrincessnodsnervously.

JOSEPH
Shehasaskedmetoadviseherona
suitablemusicalinstructor.Ithink
I'vecomeupwithanexcellentidea.

HesmilesatSalieri.
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SALIERI
Oh,YourMajesty,itwouldbesucha
tremendoushonour!

JOSEPH
I'mthinkingaboutHerrMozart.
Whatisyourview?

Salieri'sfacefalls,almostimperceptibly.

SALIERI
Aninterestingidea,Majesty.But

JOSEPH
Yes?

SALIERI
Youalreadycommissionedanopera
fromMozart.

JOSEPH
Andtheresultsatisfies.

SALIERI
Yes,ofcourse.Myconcernisto
protectyoufromanysuspicionof
favouritism.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Favouritism.ButIsowant
Mozart.

SALIERI
I'msurethereisaway,Majesty.
Somekindofalittlecontest.I
couldperhapsputtogetherasmall
Committee,andIcouldseetoit
naturallythatitwillselect
accordingtoYourMajesty'swishes.

JOSEPH
Youpleaseme,CourtComposer.A
verycleveridea.

SALIERI
(bowing)
Sire.

JOSEPH
Well.Thereitis.

Herideson.Thegroomreleasesherhorse'shead,andruns
onafterthePrincess.

CUTTO:

INT.CHAMBERLAINVONSTRACK'SSTUDYDAY1780'S

VonStracksitsstifflybehindhisgildeddesk.Mozartstands
beforehim,tremblingwithanger.

MOZART
Whatisthis,HerrChamberlain?

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VONSTRACK
Whatiswhat?

MOZART
WhydoIhavetosubmitsamplesof
myworktosomestupidcommittee?
Justtoteachasixteenyearold
girl.

VONSTRACK
BecauseHisMajestywishesit.

MOZART
IstheEmperorangrywithme?

VONSTRACK
Onthecontrary.

MOZART
Thenwhydoesn'thesimplyappoint
metothepost?

VONSTRACK
Mozart,youarenottheonlycomposer
inVienna.

MOZART
No,butI'mthebest.

VONSTRACK
Alittlemodestywouldsuityou
better.

MOZART
Whoisonthiscommittee?

VONSTRACK
KapellmeisterBonno,CountOrsini
RosenbergandCourtComposerSalieri.

MOZART
Naturally,theItalians!Ofcourse!
AlwaystheItalians!

VONSTRACK
Mozart

MOZART
Theyhatemymusic.Itterrifies
them.TheonlysoundItalians
understandisbanality.Tonicand
dominant,tonicanddominant,from
heretoResurrection!
(singingangrily)
Baba!Baba!Baba!Baba!Anything
elseismorbid.

VONSTRACK
Mozart

MOZART
Showthemoneinterestingmodulation
andtheyfaint.Ohime!Morbidezza!
Morbidezza!Italiansaremusical
idiotsandyouwantthemtojudgemy
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music!

VONSTRACK
Look,youngman,theissueissimple.
Ifyouwantthispost,youmustsubmit
yourstuffinthesamewayasall
yourcolleagues.

MOZART
MustI?Well,Iwon't!Itellyou
straight:Iwillnot!

CUTTO:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMVIENNADAY1780'S

Theroomisverysmallanduntidy.Constanzeismarchingup
anddownit,upset.Mozartislyingonthebed.

CONSTANZE
Ithinkyou'remad!You'rereally
mad!

MOZART
Oh,leavemealone.

CONSTANZE
Oneroyalpupilandthewholeof
Viennawillcomeflocking.We'dbe
setupforlife!

MOZART
They'llcomeanyway.Theyloveme
here.

CONSTANZE
No,theywillnot.Iknowhowthings
workinthiscity.

MOZART
Ohyes?Youalwaysknoweverything.

CONSTANZE
Well,I'mnotborrowinganymore
moneyfrommymother,andthat's
that!

MOZART
Youborrowedmoneyfromyourmother?

CONSTANZE
Yes!

MOZART
Well,don'tdothatagain!

CONSTANZE
Howarewegoingtolive,Wolfi?Do
youwantmetogointothestreets
andbeg?

MOZART
Don'tbestupid.

CONSTANZE
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Alltheywanttoseeisyourwork.
What'swrongwiththat?

MOZART
Shutup!Justshutup!Idon'tneed
them.

CONSTANZE
Thisisn'tpride.It'ssheer
stupidity!

Sheglaresathim,almostintears.

CUTTO:

INT.SALIERI'SMUSICROOMLATEAFTERNOON1780'S

Salieriisgivingalessontoagirlstudent,whoissinging
theItalianartsong,CaroMioBen.

Thereisaknockonthedoor.

SALIERI
Yes.

ASERVANTenters.

SERVANT
Excuseme,sir,thereisaladywho
insistsontalkingtoyou.

SALIERI
Whoisshe?

SERVANT
Shedidn'tsay.Butshesaysit's
urgent.

SALIERI
(tothepupil)
Excuseme,mydear.

Salierigoesintothesalon.

CUTTO:

INT.THESALONLATEAFTERNOON1780'S

Constanzestands,closelyveiled,holdingaportfoliostuffed
withmanuscripts.Thesinginglessonends,withtwochords
ontheinstrument.Salierientersthesalon.Constanzedrops
himashycurtsey.

CONSTANZE
Excellency!

SALIERI
Madame.HowcanIhelpyou?

Shyly,sheunveils.

SALIERI
FrauMozart?

CONSTANZE
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That'sright,YourExcellency.I've
comeonbehalfofmyhusband.I'm
I'mbringingsomesamplesofhis
worksohecanbeconsideredforthe
royalappointment.

SALIERI
Howcharming.Butwhydidhenot
comehimself?

CONSTANZE
He'sterriblybusy,sir.

SALIERI
Iunderstand.

Hetakestheportfolioandputsitonatable.

SALIERI
Iwilllookatthem,ofcourse,the
momentIcan.Itwillbeanhonour.
Pleasegivehimmywarmest.

CONSTANZE
Woulditbetoomuchtrouble,sir,
toaskyoutolookatthemnow?
WhileIwait.

SALIERI
I'mafraidI'mnotatleisurethis
verymoment.Justleavethemwith
me.Iassureyoutheywillbequite
safe.

CONSTANZE
IIreallycannotdothat,Your
Excellency.Yousee,hedoesn'tknow
I'mhere.

SALIERI
Really?

CONSTANZE
Myhusbandisaproudman,sir.He
wouldbefuriousifheknewI'dcome.

SALIERI
Thenhedidn'tsendyou?

CONSTANZE
No,sir.Thisismyownidea.

SALIERI
Isee.

CONSTANZE
Sir,wereallyneedthisjob.We're
desperate.Myhusbandspendsfar
morethanhecaneverearn.Idon't
meanhe'slazyhe'snotatall
heworksalldaylong.It'sjust!
he'snotpractical.Moneysimply
slipsthroughhisfingers,it'sreally
ridiculous,YourExcellency.Iknow
youhelpmusicians.You'refamous
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forit.Givehimjustthisonepost.
We'dbeforeverindebted!

Ashortpause.

SALIERI
Letmeofferyousomerefreshment.
Doyouknowwhattheseare?

Heindicatesadishpiledhighwithglazedchestnuts.

SALIERI
CappezzolidiVenere.Nipplesof
Venus.Romanchestnutsinbrandied
sugar.Won'tyoutryone?They're
quitesurprising.

Heoffersherthedish.Shetakesoneandputsitinher
mouth.Hewatchescarefully.

CONSTANZE
Oh!They'rewonderful.

Hetakesonehimself.Wenoticeonhisfingeraheavygold
signetring.

CONSTANZE
Thankyouverymuch,YourExcellency.

SALIERI
Don'tkeepcallingmethat.Itputs
meatsuchadistance.Iwasnot
bornaCourtComposer,youknow.
I'mfromasmalltown,justlike
yourhusband.

Hesmilesather.Shetakesanotherchestnut.

SALIERI
Areyousureyoucan'tleavethat
music,andcomebackagain?Ihave
otherthingsyoumightlike.

CONSTANZE
That'sverytempting,butit's
impossible,I'mafraid.Wolfiwould
befranticifhefoundthosewere
missing.Yousee,they'reall
originals.

SALIERI
Originals?

CONSTANZE
Yes.

Apause.Heputsouthishandandtakesuptheportfolio
fromthetable.Heopensit.Helooksatthemusic.Heis
puzzled.

SALIERI
Theseareoriginals?

CONSTANZE
Yes,sir.Hedoesn'tmakecopies.
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CUTTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

TheoldmanfacesthePriest.

OLDSALIERI
Astounding!Itwasactuallybeyond
belief.Thesewerefirstandonly
draftsofmusicyettheyshowedno
correctionsofanykind.Notone.
Doyourealizewhatthatmeant?

Voglerstaresathim.

OLDSALIERI
He'dsimplyputdownmusicalready
finishedinhishead.Pageafter
pageofit,asifhewasjusttaking
dictation.Andmusicfinishedasno
musiciseverfinished.

INT.SALIERI'SSALONLATEAFTERNOON1780'S

CU,ThemanuscriptinMozart'shandwriting.Themusicbegins
tosoundunderthefollowing:

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Displaceonenoteandtherewouldbe
diminishment.Displaceonephrase,
andthestructurewouldfall.Itwas
cleartome.ThatsoundIhadheard
intheArchbishop'spalacehadbeen
noaccident.Hereagainwasthevery
voiceofGod!Iwasstaringthrough
thecageofthosemeticulousink
strokesatanabsolute,inimitable
beauty.

Themusicswells.Whatwenowhearisanamazingcollageof
greatpassagesfromMozart'smusic,ravishingtoSalieriand
tous.TheCourtComposer,oblivioustoConstanze,whosits
happilychewingchestnuts,hermouthcoveredinsugar,walks
aroundandaroundhissalon,readingthepagesanddropping
themonthefloorwhenheisdonewiththem.Weseehis
agonizedandwonderingface:heshuddersasifinarough
andtumblingsea;heexperiencesthepointwherebeautyand
greatpaincoalesce.Morepagesfallthanhecanread,
scatteringacrossthefloorinawhitecascade,ashecircles
theroom.

Finally,wehearthetremendousQuiTollisfromtheMassin
CMinor.Itseemstobreakoverhimlikeawaveand,unable
tobearanymoreofit,heslamstheportfolioshut.
Instantly,themusicbreaksoff,reverberatinginhishead.
Hestandsshaking,staringwildly.Constanzegetsup,
perplexed.

CONSTANZE
Isitnogood?

Apause.

SALIERI
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Itismiraculous.

CONSTANZE
Ohyes.He'sreallyproudofhis
work.

Anotherpause.

CONSTANZE
So,willyouhelphim?

Salieritriestorecoverhimself.

SALIERI
TomorrownightIdinewiththe
Emperor.Onewordfrommeandthe
postishis.

CONSTANZE
Oh,thankyou,sir!

Overjoyed,shestopsandkisseshishand.Heraisesher
andthenclaspshertohimclumsily.Shepushesherselfaway.

SALIERI
Comebacktonight.

CONSTANZE
Tonight?

SALIERI
Alone.

CONSTANZE
Whatfor?

SALIERI
Someservicedeservesservicein
return.No?

CONSTANZE
Whatdoyoumean?

SALIERI
Isn'titobvious?

Theystareatoneanother:Constanzeintotaldisbelief.

SALIERI
It'sapostallViennaseeks.Ifyou
wantitforyourhusband,come
tonight.

CONSTANZE
But!I'mamarriedwoman!

SALIERI
Thendon't.It'suptoyou.Notto
bevague,thatistheprice.

Heglaresather.

SALIERI
Yes.

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Heringsasilverbellforaservantandabruptlyleavesthe
roam.Constanzestaresafterhim,horrified.

Theservantenters.Shockedandstunned,Constanzegoesdown
anherkneesandstartspickingupthemusicfromthefloor.

CUTTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

CU,FatherVogler,horrified.

OLDSALIERI
Yes,Father.Yes!Somuchformyvow
ofchastity.Whatdiditmatter?
Good,patient,hardworking,chaste
whatdiditmatter?Hadgoodness
mademeagoodcomposer?Irealized
itabsolutelythenthatmoment:
goodnessisnothinginthefurnace
ofart.AndIwasnothingtoGod.

VOGLER
(cryingout)
Youcannotsaythat!

OLDSALIERI
No?WasMozartagoodman?

VOGLER
God'swaysarenotyours.Andyou
arenotheretoquestionHim.Offer
himthesaltofpenitence.Hewill
giveyoubackthebreadofeternal
life.Heisallmerciful.Thatis
allyouneedtoknow.

OLDSALIERI
AllIeverwantedwastosingto
Him.That'sHisdoing,isn'tit?He
gavemethatlongingthenmademe
mute.Why?Tellmethat.IfHedidn't
wantmetoserveHimwithmusic,why
implantthedesire,likealustin
mybody,thendenymethetalent?Go
on,tellme!SpeakforHim!

VOGLER
Myson,noonecanspeakforGod.

OLDSALIERI
Oh?Ithoughtyoudidsoeveryday.
Sospeaknow.Answerme!

VOGLER
Idonotclaimtounravelthe
mysteries.Itreasurethem.Asyou
should.

OLDSALIERI
(impatiently)
Ohyes,yes,yes,yes,yes!Always
thesamestaleanswers!
(intimatelytothe
priest)
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ThereisnoGodofMercy,Father.
JustaGodoftorture.

CUTTO:

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1780'S

Salierisitsathisdesk,staringupatthecross.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Eveningcametothatroom.Isat
therenotknowingwhetherthegirl
wouldreturnornot.IprayedasI'd
neverprayedbefore.

SALIERI
DearGod,entermenow.Fillmewith
onepieceoftruemusic.Onepiece
withyourbreathinit,soIknow
thatyouloveme.Please.Justone.
Showmeonesignofyourfavour,and
IwillshowminetoMozartandhis
wife.Iwillgethimtheroyal
position,andifshecomes,I'll
receiveherwithallrespectand
sendherhomeinjoy.Enterme!Enter
me!Please!Teimploro.

Long,longsilence.Salieristaresatthecross.Christstares
backathimimpassively.Finallyinthissilenceweheara
faintknockingatthedoor.Salieristirshimself.Aservant
appears.

SERVANT
Thatladyisback,sir.

SALIERI
Showherin.Thengotobed.

TheServantbowsandleaves.Wefollowhimthrough:

INT.MUSICROOMINSALIERI'SAPARTMENTNIGHT1780'S

TheServantcrossesitandenters:

INT.SALONINSALIERI'SAPARTMENTNIGHT1780'S

Constanzeissittingonanuprightchair,veiledasbefore,
theportfolioofmusiconherlap.Throughthefardoor
leadingfromthehall,anotherservantispeeringather.
Thefirstservantjoinshimandshutsthedooronthegirl,
leavingheralone.

Westaywithher.Theclockticksonthemantelpiece.We
hearanoldcarriagepassinthestreetbelow.Nervouslyshe
liftsherveilandlooksabouther.

SuddenlySalieriappearsfromthemusicroom.Heispaleand
verytight.Theyregardeachother.Shesmilesandrisesto
greethim,affectingarelaxedandwarmmanner,asiftoput
himathisease.

CONSTANZE
Well,I'mhere.Myhusbandhasgone
toaconcert.Hedidn'tthinkIwould
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enjoyit.

Apause.

CONSTANZE
Idoapologizeforthisafternoon.
Ibehavedlikeasillygirl.Where
shallwego?

SALIERI
What?

CONSTANZE
Shouldwestayhere?It'sacharming
room.Ilovethesecandlesticks.
Weretheyhereearlier?Ididn't
noticethemIsupposeIwastoo
nervous.

Asshetalks,sheextinguishesthecandlesinapairof
Venetiancandelabraandsubsequentlyothercandlesaround
theroom.

CONSTANZE
Wolfgangwasgivensomecandlesticks
byKingGeorgeinEngland,butthey
wereonlywood.Oh,excuseme.Let's
nottalkabouthim.Whatdoyouthink
ofthis?It'sreallace.Brussels.

Sheturnsandtakesoffhershawl.

CONSTANZE
Well,it'smuchtoogoodforevery
day.IkeepsayingtoWolfi,don't
besoextravagant.Presentsare
lovely,butwecan'taffordthem.
Itdoesn'tdoanygood.ThemoreI
tellhim,themorehespends.Oh,
excuseme!ThereIgoagain.

Shepicksuptheportfolio.

CONSTANZE
Doyoustillwanttolookatthis?
Ordon'tweneedtobotheranymore?
Iimaginewedon't,really.

Shelooksathiminquiringly,anddropstheportfolioonthe
floor;pagesofmusicpouroutofit.Instantlyweheara
massivechord,andthegreatQuiTollisfromtheMassinC
Minorfillstheroom.Toitsgrandandweightysound,
Constanzestartstoundress,watchedbythehorrifiedSalieri.
Betweenhimandher,musicisanactivepresence,hurting
andbafflinghim.Heopenshismouthindistress.Themusic
poundsinhishead.Thecandleflickersoverherasshe
removesherclothesandpreparesforhisembrace.Suddenly
hecriesout.

SALIERI
Go!Go!Go!

Hesnatchesupthebellandshakesitfrantically,not
stoppinguntilthetwoservantswesawearlierappearatthe
door.Themusicstopsabruptly.Theystareattheappalled
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andfrightenedConstanze,whoisdesperatelytryingtocover
hernakedness.

SALIERI
Showthiswomanout!

Constanzehurlsherselfathim.

CONSTANZE
Youshit!Youshit!Yourottenshit!

Heseizesherwristsandthrustsherback.Thenheleaves
theroomquickly,slammingthedoorbehindhim.Constanze
turnsandseesthetwoservantsgogglingatherintheroom.

CONSTANZE
Whatareyoustaringat?

Wildly,shepicksupthecandelabrumandthrowsitatthem.
Itshattersonthefloor.

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1780'S

CU,Salieristanding,hiseyesshut,shakingindistress.
HeopensthemandseesChristacrosstheroom,staringat
himfromthewall.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Fromnowon,weareenemies,Youand
I!

CUTTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

Theoldmanisrelivingtheexperience.Voglerlooksathim,
horrified.

OLDSALIERI
BecauseYouwillnotenterme,with
allmyneedforyou;becauseYou
scornmyattemptsatvirtue;because
YouchooseforYourinstrumenta
boastful,lustful,smuttyinfantile
boyandgivemeforrewardonlythe
abilitytorecognizetheIncarnation;
becauseYouareunjust,unfair,
unkind,IwillblockYou!Iswear
it!IwillhinderandharmYour
creatureonearthasfarasIam
able.IwillruinYourIncarnation.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1780'S

CU,thefireplace.InitliestheolivewoodChristonthe
cross,burning.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
WhatuseafterallisMan,ifnotto
teachGodHislessons?

Thecrossflamesupanddisintegrates.Salieristaresatit.

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CUTTO:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1780'S

Thefrontdoorburstsopen.Mozartstumblesin,followedby
EMMANUELSCHIKANEDER,threeyoungactresses,andanother
man,allfairlydrunk.Schikaneder(whoappearseverywhere
accompaniedbyyounggirls)isalarge,fleshy,extravagant
manofaboutthirtyfive.

MOZART
Stanzi!Stanzi!StanziManzi!

Theotherslaugh.

MOZART
Sssh!

SCHIKANEDER
(imitatingMozart)
StanziManziBanziWanzi!

MOZART
Sssh!Stayhere.

Hewalksunsteadilytothebedroomdoorandopensit.

SCHIKANEDER
(tothegirls,very
tipsy)
Sssh!You'redishgrashful!

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1780'S

Constanzeliesinbed,herbackturnedtoherhusband,who
comesintotheroomandshutsthedoor.

MOZART
(playfully)
Stanzi?How'smymouse?Mousewouse?
I'mbackpusswussisback!

Sheturnsaroundabruptly.Shelooksdreadful;hereyesred
withweeping.Mozartisshocked.

MOZART
Stanzi!

Heapproachesthebedandsitsonit.Immediatelyshestarts
cryingagain,desperately.

MOZART
What'sthematter?Whatisit?
Stanzi!

Heholdsherandsheclingstohiminafierceembrace,crying
afloodoftears.

MOZART
Stopitnow.Stopit.I'vebrought
somefriendstomeetyou.They're
nextdoorwaiting.Dowehaveanything
toeat?They'reallstarving.

CONSTANZE
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Tellthemtogoaway.Idon'twant
toseeanybody.

MOZART
What'sthematterwithyou?

CONSTANZE
Tellthemtogo!

MOZART
Sssh.Whatisit?Tellme.

CONSTANZE
No!

MOZART
Yes!

CONSTANZE
Iloveyou!Iloveyou!

Shestartscryingagain,throwingherarmsaroundhisneck.

CONSTANZE
Iloveyou.Pleasestaywithme.I'm
frightened.

INT.THEROYALPALACEDININGROOMDAY1780'S

Josephsitseating.Abutlerserveshimgoat'smilktodrink.
JosephisholdingamemorandumfromSalieriinhishand.
Salieristandsbeforehim.

JOSEPH
Idon'tthinkyouunderstandme,
CourtComposer.

SALIERI
Majesty,Idid.Believeme,itwasa
mostagonizing.decision.Butfinally,
IsimplycouldnotrecommendHerr
Mozart.

JOSEPH
Whynot?

SALIERI
Well,Sire,Imadesomeinquiriesin
aroutineway.Iwascurioustoknow
whyhehadsofewpupils.Itisrather
alarming.

JOSEPH
Oh?

WithagestureJosephdismissesthebutler,whobowsand
leavestheroom.

SALIERI
Majesty,Idon'tliketotalkagainst
afellowmusician.

JOSEPH
Ofcoursenot.

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SALIERI
Ihavetotellyou,Mozartisnot
entirelytobetrustedalonewith
youngladies.

JOSEPH
Really?

SALIERI
Asamatteroffact,oneofmyown
pupilsaveryyoungsingertold
meshewaserwell!

JOSEPH
Yes?

SALIERI
Molested,Majesty.Twice,inthe
courseofthesamelesson.

Apause.

JOSEPH
Ahha.Well.Thereitis.

INT.SALIERI'SHOUSESTAIRCASEVIENNADAY1780'S

Salierihasjustreturnedfromthepalaceandiscomingup
thestaircase.Heismetbyhisservant.

SERVANT
Sir,thereisaHerrMozartwaiting
foryouinthesalon.

Salieriisplainlyalarmed.

SALIERI
Whatdoeshewant?

SERVANT
Hedidn'tsay,sir.ItoldhimI
didn'tknowwhenyouwouldbeback,
butheinsistedonwaiting.

SALIERI
Comewithme.Andstayintheroom.

Hemountsthestairs.

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTSALONDAY1780'S

MozartiswaitingforSalieri,holdingaportfolio.Salieri
approacheshimnervously.Mozartstandsnotbelligerently,
buthumbly.

SALIERI
HerrMozart,whatbringsyouhere?

MOZART
YourExcellency,yourequestedsome
specimensofmywork.Heretheyare.
Idon'thavetotellyouhowmuchI
needyourhelp.Itrulyappreciate
yourlookingatthese.Ihave
pressuresonmefinancialpressures.
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Asyouknow,I'mamarriedmannow.

SALIERI
Soyouare.Howisyourprettywife?

MOZART
Sheiswell.Sheiswell,actually,
I'mabouttobecomeafather!She
onlytoldmelastnight.Youarethe
firsttoknow.

SALIERI
I'mflattered.Andcongratulations
toyou,ofcourse.

MOZART
Soyousee,thispostisvery
importanttomerightnow.

Salierilooksathimindistress.

SALIERI
Whydidn'tyoucometomeyesterday,
Mozart?Thisisamostpainful
situation.YesterdayIcouldhave
helpedyou.Today,Ican't.

MOZART
Why?Hereisthemusic.It'shere.
Iamsubmittingithumbly.Isn't
thatwhatyouwanted?

SALIERI
Ihavejustcomefromthepalace.
Theposthasbeenfilled.

MOZART
Filled?That'simpossible!They
haven'tevenseenmywork.Ineed
thispost.Please,can'tyouhelp
me?Please!

SALIERI
MydearMozart,thereisnoonein
theworldIwouldratherhelp,but
nowitistoolate.

MOZART
Whomdidtheychoose?

SALIERI
HerrSommer.

MOZART
Sommer?HerrSommer?Buttheman'sa
fool!He'satotalmediocrity.

SALIERI
No,no,no:hehasyettoachieve
mediocrity.

MOZART
ButIcan'tlosethispost,Isimply
can't!Excellency,please.Let'sgo
tothepalace,andyoucanexplain
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totheEmperorthatHerrSommeris
anawfulchoice.Hecouldactually
domusicalharmtothePrincess!

SALIERI
Animplausibleidea.Betweenyouand
me,nooneintheworldcoulddo
musicalharmtothePrincess
Elizabeth.

Mozartchucklesdelightedly.Salierioffershimaglassof
whitedessertandaspoon.Mozarttakesitabsentlyandgoes
ontalking.

MOZART
Look,Imusthavepupils.Without
pupilsIcan'tmanage.

SALIERI
Youdon'tmeantotellmeyouare
livinginpoverty?

MOZART
No,butI'mbroke.I'malwaysbroke.
Idon'tknowwhy.

SALIERI
Ithasbeensaid,myfriend,that
youareinclinedtolivesomewhat
aboveyourmeans.

MOZART
Howcananyonesaythat?Wehaveno
cook,nomaid.Wehavenofootman.
Nothingatall!

SALIERI
Howisthatpossible?Yougive
concerts,don'tyou?Iheartheyare
quitesuccessful.

MOZART
They'restupendouslysuccessful.
Youcan'tgetaseat.Theonlyproblem
isnonewillhireme.Theyallwant
tohearmeplay,buttheywon'tlet
meteachtheirdaughters.AsifI
wassomekindoffiend.I'mnota
fiend!

SALIERI
Ofcoursenot.

MOZART
Doyouhaveadaughter?

SALIERI
I'mafraidnot.

MOZART
Well,couldyoulendmesomemoney
tillyouhaveone?ThenI'llteach
herforfree.That'sapromise.Oh,
I'msorry.I'mbeingsilly.Papa's
rightIshouldputapadlockonmy
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mouth.Seriously,isthereanychance
youcouldmanagealoan?Onlyfor
sixmonths,eightatmost.After
thatI'llbetherichestmanin
Vienna.I'llpayyoubackdouble.
Anything.Nameyourterms.I'mnot
joking.I'mworkingonsomething
that'sgoingtoexplodelikeabomb
alloverEurope!

SALIERI
Ah,howexciting!Tellmemore.

MOZART
I'dbetternot.It'sabitofa
secret.

SALIERI
Come,come,Mozart;I'minterested.
Truly.

MOZART
Actually,it'sabigsecret.Oh,
thisisdelicious!Whatisit?

SALIERI
Creamcheesemixedwithgranulated
sugarandsuffusedwithrum.Crema
alMascarpone.

MOZART
Ah.Italian?

SALIERI
Forgiveme.Weallhavepatriotic
feelingsofsomekind.

MOZART
Twothousand,twohundredflorinsis
allIneedAhundred?Fifty?

SALIERI
Whatexactlyareyouworkingon?

MOZART
Ican'tsay.Really

SALIERI
Idon'tthinkyoushouldbecomeknown
inViennaasadebtor,Mozart.
However,Iknowaverydistinguished
gentlemanIcouldrecommendtoyou.
Andhehasadaughter.Willthatdo?

INT.MICHAELSCHLUMBERG'SHOUSEMORNING1780'S

Hystericalbarkingandhowling.Thehallisfullofdogs,at
leastfive,alljumpingupanddashingaboutandmakinga
terrificracket.Mozart,dandifiedinanewcoatandaplumed
hatfortheoccasion,hasarrivedtoteachatthehouseofa
prosperousmerchant,MICHAELSCHLUMBERG.Bluff,friendlyand
coarselooking,hestandsinhishallamidsttheleapingand
barkinganimals,greetingMozart.

SCHLUMBERG
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Quiet!Quiet!Quiet!Downthere,
damnyou.
(toMozart)
Welcometoyou.Paynoattention,
they'reimpossible.Stopit,you
willfulthings!Comethisway.Just
ignorethem.They'reperfectly
harmless,justwillful.Itreatthem
justlikemyownchildren.

MOZART
Andwhichoneofthemdoyouwantme
toteach?

SCHLUMBERG
What?Haha!That'sfunnyIlike
it.Whichone,eh?You'reafunny
fellow.
(shouting)
Hannah!Comethisway.

HeleadsMozartthroughthethrongofdogsintoasalon
furnishedwithcomfortablemiddleclasstaste.

SCHLUMBERG
Hannah!

FRAUSCHLUMBERGappears:ananxiouswomaninmiddlelife.

SCHLUMBERG
(toMozart)
Youwon'tbeteachingthisoneeither.
She'smywife.

MOZART
(bowing)
Madame.

SCHLUMBERG
ThisisHerrMozart,mydear.The
youngmanHerrSalierirecommended
toteachourGertrude.Whereisshe?

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Upstairs.

SCHLUMBERG
Gertrude!

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Youcan'tbeHerrMozart!

MOZART
I'mafraidIam.

SCHLUMBERG
Ofcourse,it'shim.Whodoyouthink
itis?

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
I'veheardaboutyouforages!I
thoughtyoumustbeanoldman.

SCHLUMBERG
Gertrude!
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FRAUSCHLUMBERG
It'ssuchanhonourforustohave
youhere,HerrMozart.Andfor
Gertrude.

SCHLUMBERG
Peoplewhoknowsaythegirl'sgot
talent.Youmustjudgeforyourself.
Ifyouthinkshestinks,sayso.

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Michael,please!I'msureyouwill
findhermostwilling,HerrMozart.
She'sreallyveryexcited.She's
beenpreparingallmorning.

MOZART
Really?

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Ah,now!Hereshecomes.

GERTRUDESCHLUMBERGappearsinthedoorway:anawkwardgirl
offifteeninherbestdress,herhairprimpedandcurled.
Sheisexceedinglynervous.

MOZART
Goodmorning,FrauleinSchlumberg.

SCHLUMBERG
Strudel,thisisHerrMozart.Say
goodmorning.

Gertrudegigglesinstead.

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
(toMozart)
Perhapsalittlerefreshmentfirst?
Alittlecoffee,oralittle
chocolate?

MOZART
I'dlikealittlewine,ifyouhave
it.

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Wine?

SCHLUMBERG
Quiteright.He'sgoingtoneedit.
(callingandclapping
hishands)
Klaus!Abottleofwine.Prestissimo!
Nowlet'sgotoit.I'vebeenwaiting
alldayforthis.

Heleadsthewayinto:

INT.MUSICROOMDAY1780'S

Afortepianoisopenandwaiting.Allthedogsfollowhim.
AfterthemcomeMozartFrauandFrauleinSchlumberg.To
Mozart'sdismay,husbandandwifeseatthemselvesquite
formallyonalittlenarrowsofa,sidebyside.
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SCHLUMBERG
(Tothedogs)
Nowsitdownallofyouandbehave.
Zeman,Mandi,absolutelyquiet!
(toayoungbeagle)
Especiallyyou,Dudelsachsnotone
soundfromyou.

Thedogssettleattheirfeet.Husbandandwifesmile
encouraginglyateachother.

SCHLUMBERG
Comeon,then.Upandatit!

Mozartgesturestothemusicbench.Reluctantly,thegirl
sitsattheinstrument.Mozartsitsbesideher.

MOZART
Now,pleaseplaymesomething.Just
togivemeanidea.Anythingwill
do.

GERTRUDE
(toparents)
Idon'twantyoutostay.

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
That'sallright,dear.Justgoahead,
asifweweren'there.

GERTRUDE
Butyouarehere.

SCHLUMBERG
Nevermind,Strudel.It'spartof
music,gettingusedtoanaudience.
Aren'tIright,HerrMozart?

MOZART
Well,yes!onthewhole.Isuppose.
(toGertrude)
Howlonghaveyoubeenplaying,
Fraulein?

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Justoneyear.

MOZART
Whowasyourteacher?

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Iwas.Butshequiteoutgrewthe
littleIcouldshowher.

MOZART
Thankyou,Madame.
(toGertrude)
Comeonnowcourage.Playme
somethingyouknow.

Inresponsethewretchedgirljuststaresdownatthekeyboard
withoutplayinganote.Anawkwardpause.

MOZART
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Perhapsitwouldbebetterifwe
wereleftalone.Ithinkwe'reboth
alittleshy.

Husbandandwifelookateachother.

SCHLUMBERG
Nonsense.Strudel'snotshy.She's
justwillful!Yougiveintohernow,
you'llbesorrylater.Strudel
play.

Silence.Thegirlsitsunmoving.Schlumbergbellows:

SCHLUMBERG
Isaidplay!

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Michael!

MOZART
PerhapsifIweretoplayalittle
first,itmightencouragethe
Fraulein.
(tothegirl)
Whydon'tyouletmetrythe
instrument?Allright?

Suddenlythegirlrises.Mozartsmilesattheparents.They
smilenervouslyback.Mozartslidesalongthebench,raises
hishandsandpreludesoverthekeys.Instantlyadoghowls
loudly.Startled,Mozartstops.Schlumbergleapstohisfeet
andgoesovertothebeagle.

SCHLUMBERG
Stopthat,Dudelsachs!Stopitat
once!
(toMozart)
Don'tlethimdisturbyou.He'llbe
allright.He'sjustalittlewillful
too.Please,pleaseplay.Ibeg
you.

Mozartresumesplaying.Thistimeitisalivelypiece,
perhapsthePrestoFinalefromtheK.450.Thedoghowls
immediately.

SCHLUMBERG
Stopit!STOP!

Mozartstops.

SCHLUMBERG
No,notyou.Iwastalkingtothe
dog.Youkeepplaying.It'smost
important.Healwayshowlswhenhe
hearsmusic.We'vegottobreakthem
ofthehabit.Play,please.Please!

Amazed,MozartstartstoplaytheRondoagain.Thedoghowls
louder.

SCHLUMBERG
That'sit.Nowkeepgoing,justkeep
going.
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(tothebeagle)
Nowyoustopthatnoise,Dudelsachs,
youstopitthisinstant!This
instant,doyouhearme?Keepgoing,
HerrMozart,that'sit.Goon,go
on!

Mozartplayson.Suddenlythedogfallssilent.Schlumberg
smilesbroadly.

SCHLUMBERG
Good,good,good!Verygooddog!
Very,verygoodDudelsachs.
(tohiswife,snapping
hisfingers)
Quick,quick,dear,bringhisbiscuit.

Thewifescurriestogetajarofbiscuits.Aservantbrings
inanopenbottleofwineandafullglassonatray.He
putsitdownbesideMozartasSchlumbergaddressesthesilent
dogwithdeepestaffection.

SCHLUMBERG
Nowguesswho'sgoingtogetanice
reward?Clever,cleverDudi.

Hegivesthebiscuittothedogwhoswallowsitgreedily.
Mozartstopsplayingandstandsup.

SCHLUMBERG
It'samiracle,HerrMozart!

MOZART
(barelycontrolling
himself)
Well,I'magoodteacher.Thenext
timeyouwishmetoinstructanother
ofyourdogs,pleaseletmeknow.
Goodbye,Fraulein,goodbye,Madame!
goodbye,Sir!

Hebowstothemandleavestheroom.Theylookafterhimin
puzzledastonishment.

FRAUSCHLUMBERG
Whatastrangeyoungman.

SCHLUMBERG
Yes.Heisalittlestrange.

EXT.ABUSYSTREETINVIENNADAY1780'S

Acheerfulscene.WeseeMozartstruttingandbeaming,making
hiswaythroughthecrowdofporters,carriersandhawkers,
sellersofsausagesandpastries,vendorsofhatsandribbons.
Horsesandcarriageclatterpasthim.Hismoodisbest
expressedbyabubblingversionofNonpiuAndraiplayedon
thefortepiano.

Stillinthesamemood,heentersthedoorofhisownhouse.

INT.MOZART'SHOUSEHALLWAYDAY1780'S

Suddenly,hestops.Helooksupthestairs.Thegrimopening
chordsfromtheOverturetoDonGiovannicutacrossthemarch
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fromFigaro.Whathesees,lookingupthestairs,isa
menacingfigureinalong,greycapeanddarkgreyhat,
standingonthelanding.Thelightcomesfrombehindthe
figuresothatweseeonlyitssilhouetteasitunfoldsits
armstowardsMozartinanalarminggestureofpossession.
Ittakesabeatinwhichtheairofsinistermysteryisheld
beforeMozartrealizeswhoitis.Then,asthemusic
continues,hehastilysetsdownthebottleofwineandrushes
joyfullyupthestairsandhurlshimselfintothefigure's
arms.

MOZART
Papa!PAPA!

Bothmenembrace.Themusicslowlyfades.

INT.MOZART'SLIVINGROOMDAY1780'S

Acramped,lowceilingedlittleroomwhichnobodyhastidied
forages.Weseemusiclyingeverywhere.Alsotherearemany
emptywinebottles;musicalinstrumentsamongthema
mandolin,aviola,afortepianowiththeblackandwhite
keysreversedbooksandabandonedplatesoffood.

Mozartclaspshisfather'sarms.Leopoldisnowseenasan
aging,travelstainedmaninclothesthatneedrepair.His
faceislined,andheisobviouslynotinperfecthealth.

MOZART
Whyareyouhere?

LEOPOLD
AmInotwelcome?

MOZART
Ofcourse,welcome!Welcometen
thousandtimes.Papa!myPapa!

Hekisseshishands.

LEOPOLD
You'reverythin.Doesshenotfeed
you,thiswifeofyours?

Mozartducksawayandfetcheshisfather'sbagsfromthe
landing.

MOZART
Feed?Well,ofcourseshefeedsme.
Shestuffsmelikeagooseallday
long.She'sthebestcookinthe
world.Imean,sinceMama.Justwait,
you'llsee.

LEOPOLD
Isshenothere?

MOZART
Idon'tknow.Stanzi?Stanzi!

Leopoldlooksabouthimatthemessintheroom.

LEOPOLD
Doyoualwayslivelikethis?

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MOZART
Oh,yes.Oh,Imeannonotexactly
likethis.Imeantodayjusttoday,
StanziIremembernow.Shehadto
goyes!Shehadtohelphermother.
Yes,she'slikethat.Hermother'sa
verysweetwoman,you'llsee.

Hecarriesthebagacrosstheroomandopensthedoorofthe
bedroom.Constanzeliesinbed.Shesitsup,startled.

MOZART
Oh!Ididn'tknowyouwerehome.
Stanzi,thisismyfather.

Constanze,wholooksillandtired,staresatLeopold.
Leopoldstaresbackfromthedoorway.

MOZART
We'llwait,we'llwait.Whydon't
yougetupnow,darling?

Heclosesthedooragain.

MOZART
She'sverytired,poorcreature.
Youknowme:I'marealpig.It's
notsoeasycleaningupafterme.

LEOPOLD
Don'tyouhaveamaid?

MOZART
Ohwecould,ifwewantedto,but
Stanziwon'thearofit.Shewants
todoeverythingherself.

LEOPOLD
Howisyourfinancialsituation?

MOZART
Itcouldn'tbebetter.

LEOPOLD
That'snotwhatIhear.

MOZART
Whatdoyoumean?It'swonderful.
Really,it'sit'smarvelous!People
lovemehere.

LEOPOLD
Theysayyou'reindebt.

MOZART
Who?Whosaysthat?Nowthat'sa
maliciouslie!

LEOPOLD
Howmanypupilsdoyouhave?

MOZART
Pupils?

LEOPOLD
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Yes.

MOZART
Yes.

LEOPOLD
Howmany?

MOZART
Idon'tknow.It'snotimportant.I
mean,Idon'twantpupils.Theyget
intheway.I'vegottohavetime
forcomposition.

LEOPOLD
Compositiondoesn'tpay.Youknow
that.

MOZART
Thisonewill.

Hepicksupsomepagesofmanuscript.

LEOPOLD
What'sthat?

MOZART
Oh,let'snottalkaboutit.

LEOPOLD
Whynot?

MOZART
It'sasecret.

LEOPOLD
Youdon'thavesecretsfromme.

MOZART
It'stoodangerous,Papa.Butthey're
goingtoloveit.Ah,theresheis!

Constanzecomesintotheroom.Sheiswearingadressing
gownandhasmadeaperfunctoryattempttotidyherhair.
Weseethatsheisclearlypregnant.

MOZART
MyStanzilookather!Isn'tshe
beautiful?Comeonnow,confess,
Papa.Couldyouwantaprettiergirl
foradaughter?

CONSTANZE
Stopit,Wolfi.Ilookdreadful.
Welcometoourhouse,HerrMozart.

MOZART
He'snotHerrMozart.CallhimPapa.

LEOPOLD
Iseethatyou'reexpecting.

CONSTANZE
Oh,yes.

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LEOPOLD
When,mayIask?

CONSTANZE
Inthreemonths!Papa.

MOZART
Isn'tthatmarvelous?We'redelighted.

LEOPOLD
Whydidn'tyoumentionitinyour
letters?

MOZART
Didn'tI?IthoughtIdid.I'msure
Idid.

Hegivesalittlegiggleofembarrassment.

CONSTANZE
MayIofferyousometea,HerrMozart?

MOZART
Tea?Whowantstea?Let'sgoout!
Thiscallsforafeast.Youdon't
wanttea,Papa.Let'sgodancing.
Papalovesparties,don'tyou?

CONSTANZE
Wolfi!

MOZART
What?Howcanyoubesoboring?
Tea!

CONSTANZE
Wolfi,Ithinkyourfather'stired.
I'llcookussomethinghere.

LEOPOLD
Thankyou.That'llbefine.Don't
spendanymoneyonme.

MOZART
Whynot?Oh,come,Papa!Whatbetter
waycouldIspenditthanonyou?My
kissable,missable,suddenlyvisible
Papa!

ThejauntytuneofIchMochteWohlDerKaisersein(K.539)
soundsthroughallthefollowing.Thisisanalternatesong
fromIlSeraglio:averyextrovertedtuneforbaritoneand
orchestraandaprominentpartforbassdrum.Thevocalpart
shouldbearrangedfortrumpet.

EXT.STREETINVIENNADAY1780'S

MozartandConstanzewithLeopoldbetweenthem.Weseecouples
shopping.

INT.ACOSTUMESHOPVIENNADAY1780'S

Thisisashopwhereonecanbuycostumesformasquerades.
Itisfilledwithextravagantcostumesofvariouskinds.
Wolfgangiswearingacostume,amaskpusheduponhis
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forehead;Constanzeiswearingalittlewhitevelvetmask.

Amidstthemerriment,Leopoldishelpedbytwoassistantsto
putonadarkgreycloakandadarkgreytricornehat,to
whichisattachedafullmaskofdarkgrey.Itsmouthiscut
intoafixedupwardsmile.

Heturnsandlooksathissonthroughthismask.

CUTSTRAIGHTTO:

INT.ALARGEPARTYROOMVIENNANIGHT1780'S

WeareinthefullwhirlofaMasqueradeBall.Couplesare
dancingarounddressedinfantasticcostumes.Themusicof
IchMochteWohlDerKaiserseinincreasesinvolumeand
persists.Weseethemusiciansthumpingitoutonabalustrade
abovethedancers.Asteerisbeingroasted.Throughthe
bobbingcrowdweseeagroup,headedbythefigureofBacchus:
thisisSchikanederinaGreekcostume,wearingvineleaves
inhishair.Heisaccompaniedbyhisusualtrioofactresses
andthreeothermen.ConstanzeasColumbineandMozartas
HarlequinarepullingLeopoldbythehandofhisdarkcloak
andsmilingmask.Thiswholegroupthreadsitswayacross
thecrowdedroomanddisappearsthroughadoor.Astheygo,
theyarewatchedbySalieri,standingaloneinacorner,
wearingordinaryeveningclothes.Heturnsawayhastilyto
avoidbeingseenbythem.

Assoonastheydisappearintothefarroom,Salierigoes
quicklytoaladyinthecornerwhoisgivingguestsdomino
masksoffatray.Hequicklytakesasmallblackmaskand
putsiton.

CUTTO:

INT.AGROTTOROOMNEXTDOORNIGHT1780'S

Afantasticroomdesignedasarockygrotto,litbycandles.
AfortepianotoonesideisbeingplayedbySchikaneder:
themusicofIchMochteWohlDerKaiserseincrossfadesto
anothertune.ThisisVivatBacchusfromIlSeragliowhich

Schikaneder,dressedasBacchus,ishummingasheplays.The
musicisactuallyaccompanyingagameofForfeits,whichhas
begun.Fivecouples(thegroupwehavejustseen)aredancing
inthemiddleofaringmadebyninechairs.Whenthemusic
stopstheywilleachhavetofindachair,andtheonewho
failsmustpayaforfeit.

ConstanzeisdancingwithLeopold;Mozartisdancingwith
oneoftheactresses;thetwootheractressesaredancing
withtwoothergentlemen;andtwochildrendancetogether
alittleboyandalittlegirl.Thesceneiswatchedbya
circleofbystanders;amongthemfromthedoorwayis
Salieri.

Schikanederstopsplaying.Immediatelythecouplesscramble
forthechairs.LeopoldandConstanzemeetonthesamechair,
bumpingandpushingateachothertogetsolepossessionof
it.Totheamusementofthepeoplearound,thechairover
balancesandtheybothenduponthefloor.Constanze
immediatelygetsupagain,setsthechaironitsfeet,and
triestopretendshewassittinginitallthetime.But
Schikanedercallsoutfromthefortepiano.
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SCHIKANEDER
No,no!Youbothlost.Youbothlost.
Youbothhavetoforfeit.Andthe
penaltyisyoumustexchangeyour
wigs.

Peoplearedelightedbytheideaofthispenalty.Thechildren
jumpupanddownwithexcitement.Thethreeactresses
immediatelysurroundLeopold,reachingforhishatandmask
andwig,whilsthetriestoholdontothem.Mozarttakes
offConstanze'swiganabsurdaffairwithsidecurls.
Constanzelaughinglysurrendersit.

LEOPOLD
No,please!Thisisridiculous!No,
please!

Despitehisprotestsanactresstakesoffhishat,towhich
thesmilingmaskisattached,torevealhisoutragedface
showingaverydifferentexpressionunderneath.Another
actresssnatchesoffhiswigtorevealverysparsehairon
theoldman'shead.ThethirdactresstakesConstanze'swig
fromMozartandattemptstoputitonhisfather'shead.

LEOPOLD
No,really!

MOZART
(callingtohim)
Thisisjustagame,Papa.

Constanzeechoeshimwithatouchofmaliceinhervoice.

CONSTANZE
Thisisjustagame,Papa!

Laughingly,thebystanderstakeitup,especiallythe
children.

BYSTANDERS
Thisisjustagame,Papa!

AsLeopoldglaresfuriouslyabouthim,theactresssucceeds
ingettingConstanze'swigfirmlyontohishead.Everybody
burstsintoapplause.Delightedly,ConstanzeputsonLeopold's
wig,hatandmask:fromthewaistupshenowlookslikea
weirdparodyofLeopoldinthesmilinggreymask,andhe
lookslikeaweirdparodyofherinthesillyfemininewig.
Schikanederstartstoplayagain,andthecouplesstartto
dance.LeopoldangrilytakesoffConstanze'swigandleaves
thecircle;hispartner,Constanze,isleftalone.Seeing
this,Mozartleaveshispartnerandcatcheshisfather
entreatinglybythearm.

MOZART
Ohno,Papa,please!Don'tspoilthe
fun.Comeon.Here,takemine.

HetakesoffhisownwigandputsitonLeopold'suncovered
head.Theeffect,ifnotasridiculous,isstillsomewhat
bizarre,sinceWolfgangfavoursfairlyelaboratewigs.He
takesConstanze'swigfromhisfather.Asthishappens,the
musicstopsagain.Mozartgentlypusheshisfatherdownonto
anearbychair;theothersscramblefortheotherchairs;
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andheisleftastheOddManOut.Hegiggles.Schikaneder
callsouttoLeopoldfromthekeyboard.

SCHIKANEDER
HerrMozart,whydon'tyounameyour
son'spenalty?

Applause.

MOZART
Yes,Papa,nameit.Nameit.I'lldo
anythingyousay!

LEOPOLD
Iwantyoutocomebackwithmeto
Salzburg,myson.

SCHIKANEDER
Whatdidhesay?Whatdidhesay?

MOZART
Papa,theruleisyoucanonlygive
penaltiesthatcanbeperformedin
theroom.

LEOPOLD
I'mtiredofthisgame.Pleaseplay
withoutme.

MOZART
Butmypenalty.I'vegottohavea
penalty.

Allthebystandersarewatching.

SCHIKANEDER
I'vegotagoodone.I'vegotthe
perfectoneforyou.Comeoverhere.

Mozartrunsovertothefortepiano,andSchikaneder
surrendershisplaceatit.

SCHIKANEDER
Now,Iwantyoutoplayourtune
sittingbackwards.

Applause.

MOZART
Oh,that'sreallytooeasy.Anychild
candothat.

Amusedsoundsofdisbelief.

SCHIKANEDER
AndafugueinthemannerofSebastian
Bach.

Renewedapplauseatthiswickedextrapenalty.Mozartsmiles
atSchikanederitisthesortofchallengeheloves.He
defiantlyputsonConstanze'swigandseatshimselfwithhis
backtothekeyboard.Beforetheastonishedeyesofthe
companyheproceedstoexecutethisabsurdlydifficulttask.
Hisrighthandplaysthebasspart,hislefthandthetreble,
andwiththisaddeddifficultyheimprovisesabrilliant
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fugueonthesubjectofthetunetowhichtheyhavebeen
dancing.

Attractedbythisastonishingfeat,theplayersdrawnearer
totheinstrument.SodoesSalieri,cautiously,withsomeof
thebystanders.Constanzewatcheshimapproach.OnlyLeopold
sitsbyhimself,sulking.

Thefugueendsamidstterrificclapping.Theguestscallout
toMozart.

GUESTS
Another!Doanother!Someoneelse.

MOZART
Givemeaname.WhoshallIdo?
Givemeaname.

GUESTS
Gluck!Haydn!FredericHandel!

CONSTANZE
Salieri!DoSalieri!

SMASHCUT:Salieri'smaskedfacewhipsaroundandlooksat
her.

MOZART
Nowthat'shard.That'sveryhard.
ForSalierionehastofacetheright
wayaround.

Giggling,heturnsaroundandsitsatthekeyboard.Then,
watchedbyahighlyamusedgroup,hebeginsawickedparody.

Hefurrowshisbrowinmockconcentrationandcloseshis
eyes.Thenhebeginstoplaythetunetowhichtheydanced,
inthemostobviouswayimaginable,relyingheavilyona
totallyandoffensivelyunimaginativebassoftonicand
dominant,endlesslyrepeated.Themusicistheveryessence
ofbanality.Thebystandersrockwithlaughter.Mozartstarts
togigglewildly.Throughthisexcruciatingscene,Salieri
staresatConstanze,whosuddenlyturnsherheadandlooks
challenginglybackathim.

Mozart'sparodyreachesitscoarseclimaxwithhimaddinga
fartnoiseinsteadofnotestoendcadences.Hebuildsthis
up,urgedoninhisclowningbyeveryoneelse,untilsuddenly
hestopsandcriesout.Thelaughtercutsoff.Mozartstands
up,clutchinghisbehindasifhehasmadeamessinhis
breeches.Themomentaryhushofalarmisfollowedbyahowl
oflaughter.

CU,Salieristaringinpain.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

CU,Theoldmanisshakingattheveryrecollectionofhis
humiliation.

OLDSALIERI
Goon.Mockme.Laugh,laugh!

CUTBACKTO:

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INT.GROTTONIGHT1780'S

ArepetitionoftheshotofMozartatthefortepiano,wearing
Constanze'swigandemittingashrillgiggle.

CUTTO:

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1780'S

Salierisitsathisdesk.Heholdsinhishandthesmall
blackpartymaskandstaresinhatredattheplaceonthe
wallwherethecrucifixusedtohang.Faintlyweseethe
markofthecross.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
ThatwasnotMozartlaughing,Father.
ThatwasGod.ThatwasGod!God
laughingatmethroughthatobscene
giggle.Goon,Signore.Laugh.Rub
mynoseinit.Showmymediocrity
foralltosee.Youwait!Iwill
laughatYou!BeforeIleavethis
earth,IwilllaughatYou!Amen!

INT.MOZART'SWORKROOMDAY1780'S

Itislitteredwithmanuscripts.Inthemiddlestandsa
billiardtable.ThebeautifulclosingensemblefromActIV
ofFigaro:Ah,Tutticontenti!Saremocosiplaysinthe
background.Standingatthebilliardtable,Mozartisdreamily
hearingthemusicandplayingshotsonthetable.

Fromtimetotimehedriftsovertoapieceofmanuscript
paperandjotsdownnotes.Heisverymuchinhisownworld
ofcompositionandthebilliardballsareanaidtocreation.
Presently,however,wehearaknockingatthedoor.

CONSTANZE
(outsidethedoor)
Wolfi!Wolfgang!

Themusicbreaksoff.

MOZART
Whatisit?

Heopensthedoor.

CONSTANZE
There'sayounggirltoseeyou.

MOZART
Whatdoesshewant?

CONSTANZE
Idon'tknow.

MOZART
Well,askher!

CONSTANZE
Shewon'ttalktome.Shesaysshe
hastospeaktoyou.

MOZART
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Oh,damn!

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMDAY1780'S

Mozartcomesout.Framedinthedoorwayfromoutsidestands
Lorl,themaidwenoticedinSalieri'shouse.Fromhisbedroom
Leopoldpeepsouttowatch.Mozartgoestothegirl.Constanze
follows.

MOZART
Yes?

LORL
AreyouHerrMozart?

MOZART
That'sright.

LORL
MynameisLorl,sir.I'ma
maidservant.Iwasaskedtocome
hereandoffermyservicestoyou.

MOZART
What?

LORL
They'llbepaidforbyagreatadmirer
oryourswhowishestoremainanon
anonymous.

CONSTANZE
Whatdoyoumean?Whatadmirer?

LORL
Ican'ttellyouthat,ma'am.

MOZART
Areyousayingthatsomeoneispaying
youtobeourmaidanddoesn'twant
ustoknowwhoheis?

LORL
Yes.Icanliveinoroutjustas
youwish.

Mozartturnstohisfather.

MOZART
Papa,isthisyouridea?

LEOPOLD
Mine?

Theoldmanemergesfromhisbedroom.Hissonlooksathim
delightedly.

MOZART
Areyouplayingatrickonme?

LEOPOLD
Ineversawthisgirlinmylife.
(toLorl)
Isthisakindofjoke?

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LORL
Notatall,sir.AndIwastoldto
waitforananswer.

LEOPOLD
Youngwoman,thiswon'tdoatall.
Mysoncan'tpossiblyacceptsuchan
offer,nomatterhowgenerous,unless
heknowswhoisbehindit.

LORL
ButIreallycan'ttellyou,sir.

LEOPOLD
Oh,thisisridiculous.

CONSTANZE
Whatisridiculous?Wolfihasmany
admirersinVienna.Theylovehim
here.Peoplesendusgiftsallthe
time.

LEOPOLD
Butyoucan'ttakeherwithout
reference.It'sunheardof!

CONSTANZE
Well,thisisnoneofyourbusiness.
(toLorl)
Whoeversentyouisgoingtopay,
no?

LORL
That'sright,ma'am.

LEOPOLD
Sonowwearegoingtoletaperfect
strangerintothehouse?

Constanzelooksfuriouslyathim,thenatLorl.

CONSTANZE
Whoiswe?Whoislettingwho?
(toLorl)
Couldyoupleasewaitoutside?

LORL
Yes,ma'am.

Lorlgoesoutsideandclosesthedoor.Constanzeturnson
Leopold.

CONSTANZE
Look,oldman,youstayoutofthis.
Wespendafortuneonyou,morethan
wecanpossiblyafford,andallyou
doiscriticize,morningtonight.
Andthenyouthinkyoucan

MOZART
Stanzi!

CONSTANZE
No,it'srightheshouldhear.I'm
sicktodeathofit.Wecan'tdo
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anythingrightforyou,canwe?

LEOPOLD
Nevermind.Youwon'thavetodo
anythingformeeveragain.I'm
leaving!

MOZART
Papa!

LEOPOLD
Don'tworry,I'mnotstayinghereto
beaburden.

MOZART
Noonecallsyouthat.

LEOPOLD
Shedoes.ShesaysIsleepallday.

CONSTANZE
Andsoyoudo!Theonlytimeyou
comeoutistoeat.

LEOPOLD
Andwhatdoyouexpect?Whowantsto
walkoutintoamesslikethisevery
day?

CONSTANZE
Oh,nowI'mabadhousekeeper!

LEOPOLD
Soyouare!Theplaceisapigsty
allthetime.

CONSTANZE
(toMozart)
Doyouhearhim?Doyou?

Explosivelysheopensthedoor.

CONSTANZE
(toLorl)
Whencanyoustart?

LORL
Rightaway,ma'am.

CONSTANZE
Good!Comein.You'llstartwith
thatroomthere.
(indicatingLeopold's
room)
It'sfilthy!

SheleadsthemaidintoLeopold'sroom.Mozartstealsback
intohisworkroomandgentlyclosesthedoor.Leopoldis
leftalone.

LEOPOLD
Sorry,sorry!I'msorryIspoke!
I'mjustaprovincialfromSalzburg.
WhatdoIknowaboutsmartVienna?
Partiesallnight,everynight.
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Dancinganddrinkinglikeidiot
children!

INT.MOZART'SWORKROOMDAY1780'S

Mozartstandstryingtoblotoutthenoiseofhisfather's
shoutingfromthenextroom.

LEOPOLD(O.S.)
Dinnerateight!Dinneratten!Dinner
whenanyonefeelslikeit!Ifanyone
feelslikeit!

TheensembleofAh,Tutticontenti!SaremocosifromActIV
ofFigaroresumes,comingtohisaidandrisingtogreetthe
listenerwithitssereneharmonies.Relieved,Mozartlanguidly
picksuphiscueandplaysashotonthebilliardtable:he
issuckedbackintohisownworldofsound.

INT.SALIERI'SSALONNIGHT1780'S

Themusicfades.WeseeLorl,dressedinawalkingcloak,
sittingbeforeadesk,talkingtosomeoneconfidentially.

LORL
They'reouteverynight,sir.Till
allhours.

Ahandcomesintoframeofferingaplateofsugaredbiscuits.
Onitsfingerweseethegoldsignetringbelongingto
Salieri.

LORL
(takingone)
Oh,thankyou,sir.

SALIERI
Doanypupilscometothehouse?

LORL
NotthatI'veseen.

SALIERI
Thenhowdoeshepayforallthis?
Doesheworkatall?

LORL
Oh,yes,sir,alldaylong.Henever
leavesthehouseuntilevening.He
justsitsthere,writingandwriting.
Hedoesn'teveneat.

SALIERI
Really?Whatisithe'swriting?

LORL
Oh,Iwouldn'tknowthat,sir.

SALIERI
Ofcoursenot.You'reagoodgirl.
You'reverykindtodothis.Next
timeyou'resurethey'llbeoutof
thehouse,letmeknow,willyou?

Confused,thegirlhesitates.Hehandsherapileofcoins.
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LORL
Oh,thankyou,sir!

Sheacceptsthem,delighted.

EXT.MOZART'SHOUSEVIENNASTREETAFTERNOON1780'S

ThefinalmovementofMozart'sPianoConcertoinEflat(K.
482)begins.Toitslivelymusic,thedoorofthehousebursts
openandagrandfortepianoaugmentedwithapedaliscarried
outofitbysixmen,whorunoffwithitdownthestreet.
FollowingthemimmediatelyappearWolfgang,Constanzeand
Leopold,allthreedressedforanoccasion.Theyclimbinto
awaitingcarriagewhichdrivesoffafterthefortepiano.
Assoonasitgoes,Lorlappearsinthedoorway,peering
slylyaroundtoseethattheyareoutofsight.Thenshe
shutsthedoorandhurriesoffintheoppositedirection.

CUTTO:

EXT.ANORNAMENTALGARDENVIENNAAFTERNOON1780'S

Anoutdoorconcertisbeinggiven.Mozartisactuallyplaying
thefinalmovementofhisEflatconcertowithanorchestra.
Listeningtohimisasizableaudience,includingtheEmperor,
flankedbyStrackandVonSwieten.

Thecrowdisinahappyandappreciativemood:itisa
delightfulopenairscene.Wehearthegayestandmostcomplex
passage.LeopoldandConstanzelistentoMozart,whoplays
hisownworkbrilliantly.Westaywiththissceneforalittle
whileandthen

CUTTO:

EXT.VIENNASTREETAFTERNOON1780'S

Acarriagecloppingthroughthestreets.Lorlissittingup
ontheboxbesidethedriver.Insidethevehicle,weglimpse
thefigureofSalieri.

EXT.ANORNAMENTALGARDENVIENNA1780'S

Wehearmoreoftheconcerto.Perhapstheslowinterludein
thelastmovementofK.482.Mozartisconductingandplaying
inareflectivemood.Abruptlywe

CUTTO:

EXT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTAFTERNOON1780'S

LorlisopeningthedooradmittingSalieri.Theygoin.The
doorshuts.

INT.MOZART'SLIVINGROOMAFTERNOON1780'S

TheroomisconsiderablytidierasaresultofLorl's
ministrations.Salieristandslookingabouthimwith
tremendouscuriosity.

LORL
IthinkI'vefoundoutaboutthe
money,sir.

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SALIERI
Yeswhat?

Sheopensadrawerinasideboard.Insideweseeonegold
snuffbox:itistheonewesawMozartbeingpresentedwith
asachildintheVatican.

LORL
Hekeptsevensnuffboxesinhere.
Icouldsweartheywereallgold.
Andnowlookthere'sonlyoneleft.
Andinside,sir,lookIcounted
themticketsfromthepawnshop.
Sixofthem.

Salieriturnstolookaroundhim.

SALIERI
Wheredoeshework?

LORL
Inthere,sir.

Shepointsacrosstheroomtotheworkroom.Saliericrosses
andgoesinalone.

INT.MOZART'SWORKROOMAFTERNOON1780'S

SalierienterstheprivatequartersofAmadeus.Heis
immenselyexcited.Hemovesslowlyintothe'holyofholies'
pickingupobjectswithgreatreverenceabilliardball;a
discardedwig;asock;abucklethenobjectsmoreimportant
tohim.StandingatMozart'sdesk,strewnwithmanuscripts,
hepicksupMozart'spenandstrokesthefeather.Hetouches
theinkstand.Helaysafingeronthecandlestickwithits
halfexpiredcandle.Hetoucheseachobjectasifitwere
themementoofabeloved.Heisinawe.Finallyhiseyefalls
onthesheetsofmusicthemselves.Stealthilyhepicksthem
up.

CU,Thepages.

Weseewordssettomusic.Againsteachlineofnotesisthe
nameofacharacter:Contessa,Susanna,Cherubino.Then
anotherpagethetitlepagewritteninMozart'shand.

LeNozzediFigaroComediapermusicatrattadalFrancesein
quattroatti.

CU,ThewordFigaro.

CU,Salieri.Hestaresamazed.

CUTTO:

EXT.ORNAMENTALGARDENVIENNAAFTERNOON1780'S

MozartisplayingthecadenzaandcodaofPianoConcerto(K.
482).Hecompletestheworkwithaflourish.Thereisloud
applause.TheEmperorrisesandallfollowsuit.Mozartcomes
downtobegreetedbyhim.

JOSEPH
Bravo,Mozart.Mostcharming.Yes,
indeed.Cleverman.
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MOZART
Thankyou,Sire!

VONSWIETEN
Welldone,Mozart.Reallyquitefine.

MOZART
Baron!

Heseeshiswifeandfatherstandingbyinthecrowd.Leopold
issignalinginsistently.

MOZART
Majesty,mayIaskyoutodomethe
greatestfavour?

JOSEPH
Whatisit?

MOZART
MayIintroducemyfather?Heison
ashortvisithereandreturning
verysoontoSalzburg.Hewouldso
muchliketokissyourhand.Itwould
makehiswholestaysomemorablefor
him.

JOSEPH
Ah!Byallmeans.

Leopoldcomesforwardeagerlyandfawninglykissestheroyal
hand.

LEOPOLD
YourMajesty.

Constanzecurtsies.

JOSEPH
Goodevening.
(toLeopold)
Wehavemetbefore,HerrMozart.

LEOPOLD
That'sright,YourMajesty.Twenty
yearsago.No,twentytwo!twenty
three!AndIrememberwordforword
whatyousaidtome.Yousaidyou
said

Hesearcheshismemory.

JOSEPH
Bravo?

LEOPOLD
No!Yes,'bravo,'ofcourse'bravo'!
Everybodyalwayssays'bravo'when
Wolfiplays.LiketheKingofEngland.
WhenweplayedfortheKingof
England,hegotupattheendand
said,'Bravo!Bravo!Bravo!'three
times.Threebravo's.AndthePope
four!Fourbravo'sfromtheHoly
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Father,andone'bellissimo.'

Allthecourtiersaroundarelookingathim.

MOZART
Father

LEOPOLD
Hush!I'mtalkingtoHisMajesty.
YourMajesty,Iwishtoexpressonly
onethingthatyouwhoarethe
Fatherofusall,couldteachour
childrenthegratitudetheyoweto
fathers.Itisnotfornothingthat
theFifthCommandmenttellsus:
'HonouryourFatherandMother,that
yourdaysmaybelongupontheearth.'

JOSEPH
Ahha.Well.Thereitis.

CUTTO:

INT.ORSINIROSENBERG'SSTUDYDAY1780'S

TheDirectorsitsathistablewithSalieriandBonno.

SALIERI
I'vejustlearnedsomethingthat
mightbeofinteresttoyou,Herr
Director.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Yes?

SALIERI
Mozartiswritinganewopera.An
Italianopera.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Italian?

BONNO
Aie!

SALIERI
Andthat'snotall.Hehaschosen
forhissubject,Figaro.TheMarriage
ofFigaro.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Youmeanthatplay?

SALIERI
Exactly.

ORSINIROSENBERG
He'ssettingthatplaytomusic?

SALIERI
Yes.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Youmustbemad.

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BONNO
WhatisthisMarriageofFigaro?

ORSINIROSENBERG
It'saFrenchplay,Kapellmeister.
IthasbeenbannedbytheEmperor.

BONNO
Hah!

Hecrosseshimself,wideeyedwithalarm.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Areyouabsolutelysure?

SALIERI
I'veseenthemanuscript.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Where?

SALIERI
Nevermind.

CUTTO:

INT.CHAMBERLAINVONSTRACK'SSTUDYDAY1780'S

VONSTRACK
Iknowwebannedthisplay,but
franklyIcan'trememberwhy.Can
yourefreshmymemory,HerrDirector?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Forthesamereason,HerrChamberlain,
thatitwasbannedinFrance.

VONSTRACK
Ohyes,yes.Andthatwas?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Well,theplaymakesaherooutofa
valet.Heoutwitshisnoblemaster
andexposeshimasalecher.Doyou
seetheimplications?Thiswouldbe,
inagrandersituation,asifa
ChamberlainweretoexposeanEmperor.

VONSTRACK
Ah.

CUTTO:

INT.THEEMPEROR'SSTUDYDAY1780'S

TheEmperorstandsinthemiddleoftheroominclose
conversationwithVonStrack,OrsiniRosenberg,VonSwieten,
andBonno.Salieriisnotpresent.Adooropensandalackey
announces:

LACKEY
HerrMozart.

Theyallturn.Mozartapproaches,ratherapprehensively,and
kissesJoseph'shand.
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JOSEPH
Sitdown,gentlemen,please.

Theyallsit,saveMozart.Theroomsuddenlylookslikea
tribunal.Josephisinaseriousmood.

JOSEPH
Mozart,areyouawareIhavedeclared
theFrenchplayofFigarounsuitable
forourtheatre?

MOZART
Yes,Sire.

JOSEPH
Yetwehearyouaremakinganopera
fromit.Isthistrue?

MOZART
Whotoldyouthis,Majesty?

JOSEPH
Itisnotyourplacetoaskquestions.
Isittrue?

MOZART
Well,yes,Iadmititis.

JOSEPH
Wouldyoutellmewhy?

MOZART
Well,Majesty,itisonlyacomedy.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Whatyouthink,Mozart,isscarcely
thepoint.ItiswhatHisMajesty
thinksthatcounts.

MOZART
But,YourMajesty

JOSEPH
(motioninghimtobe
silent)
Mozart,Iamatolerantman.Ido
notcensorthingslightly.WhenI
do,Ihavegoodreason.Figaroisa
badplay.Itstirsuphatredbetween
theclasses.InFranceithascaused
nothingbutbitterness.Myowndear
sisterAntoinettewritesmethatshe
isbeginningtobefrightenedofher
ownpeople.Idonotwishtoseethe
samefearsstartinghere.

MOZART
Sire,IsweartoYourMajesty,there's
nothinglikethatinthestory.I
havetakenouteverythingthatcould
giveoffense.Ihatepolitics.

JOSEPH
Ithinkyouareratherinnocent,my
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friend.InthesedangeroustimesI
cannotaffordtoprovokeournobles
orourpeoplesimplyoveratheatre
piece.

Theotherslookattheirkingsolemnly,allsaveMozart.

MOZART
But,Majesty,thisisjustafrolic.
It'sapieceaboutlove.

JOSEPH
Ah,loveagain.

MOZART
Butit'snew,it'sentirelynew.
It'ssonew,peoplewillgomadfor
it.Forexample,Ihaveascenein
thesecondactitstartsasaduet,
justamanandwifequarreling.
Suddenlythewife'sscheminglittle
maidcomesinunexpectedlyavery
funnysituation.Duetturnsinto
trio.Thenthehusband'sequally
screamingvaletcomesin.Trioturns
intoquartet.Thenastupidold
gardenerquartetbecomesquintet,
andsoon.Onandon,sextet,septet,
octet!HowlongdoyouthinkIcan
sustainthat?

JOSEPH
Ihavenoidea.

MOZART
Guess!Guess,Majesty.Imaginethe
longesttimesuchathingcouldlast,
thendoubleit.

JOSEPH
Well,sixorsevenminutes!maybe
eight!

MOZART
Twenty,sire!Howabouttwenty?
Twentyminutesofcontinuousmusic.
Norecitatives.

VONSWIETEN
Mozart

MOZART
(ignoringhim)
Sire,onlyoperacandothis.Ina
play,ifmorethanonepersonspeaks
atthesametime,it'sjustnoise.
Noonecanunderstandaword.But
withmusic,withmusicyoucanhave
twentyindividualsalltalkingat
once,andit'snotnoiseit'sa
perfectharmony.Isn'tthatmarvelous?

VONSWIETEN
Mozart,musicisnottheissuehere.
Noonedoubtsyourtalent.Itis
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yourjudgmentofliteraturethat's
inquestion.Evenwiththepolitics
takenout,thisthingwouldstill
remainavulgarfarce.Whywaste
yourspiritonsuchrubbish?Surely
youcanchoosemoreelevatedthemes?

MOZART
Elevated?Whatdoesthatmean?
Elevated!Theonlythingamanshould
elevateisoh,excuseme.I'msorry.
I'mstupid.ButIamfeduptothe
teethwithelevatedthings!Olddead
legends!Howcanwegoonforever
writingaboutgodsandlegends?

VONSWIETEN
(aroused)
Becausetheydo.Theygoonforever
atleastwhattheyrepresent.The
eternalinus,nottheephemeral.
Operaisheretoennobleus.Youand
me,justasmuchasHisMajesty.

BONNO
Bello!Bello,Barone.Veramente.

MOZART
Oh,bello,bello,bello!Comeon
now,behonest.Wouldn'tyouall
ratherlistentoyourhairdressers
thanHercules?OrHoratius?Or
Orpheus?Allthoseoldbores!people
soloftytheysoundasiftheyshit
marble!

VONSWIETEN
What?

VONSTRACK
Governyourtongue,sir!Howdare
you?

Beat.AlllookattheEmperor.

MOZART
Forgiveme,Majesty.I'mavulgar
man.ButIassureyou,mymusicis
not.

JOSEPH
Youarepassionate,Mozart!Butyou
donotpersuade.

MOZART
Sire,thewholeoperaisfinished.
Doyouknowhowmuchworkwentinto
it?

BONNO
HisMajestyhasbeenmorethan
patient,Signore.

MOZART
HowcanIpersuadeyouifyouwon't
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letmeshowit?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Thatwilldo,HerrMozart!

MOZART
Justletmetellyouhowitbegins.

VONSTRACK
HerrMozart

MOZART
MayIjustdothat,Majesty?Show
youhowitbegins?Justthat?

Aslightpause.ThenJosephnods.

JOSEPH
Please.

Mozartfallsonhisknees.

MOZART
Look!There'saservant,downonhis
knees.Doyouknowwhy?Notfromany
oppression.No,he'ssimplymeasuring
aspace.Doyouknowwhatfor?His
bed.Hisweddingbedtoseeifit
willfit.

Hegiggles.

CUTTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSEDAY1780'S

Mozartsitsonstageataharpsichordrehearsingthesingers
takingthepartsofFigaroandSusannaintheopeningbars
ofthefirstactofTheMarriageofFigaro.WewatchFigaro
measuringthespaceforhisbedonthefloor,singingand
Susannalookingon,tryingontheCountess'hat.

CUTTO:

INT.SALIERI'SSALONDAY1780'S

OrsiniRosenbergandBonnoaresittingwithSalieri.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Well,Mozartisalreadyrehearsing.

SALIERI
Incredible.

ORSINIROSENBERG
TheEmperorhasgivenhimpermission.

BONNO
Si,si!Veramente.

SALIERI
Well,gentlemen,sobeit.Inthat
caseIthinkweshouldhelpMozart
allwecananddoourbesttoprotect
himagainsttheEmperor'sanger.
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ORSINIROSENBERG
Whatanger?

SALIERI
Abouttheballet.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Ballet?Whatballet?

SALIERI
Excusemedidn'tHisMajesty
specificallyforbidballetinhis
opera?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Yes,absolutely.Isthereaballet
inFigaro?

SALIERI
Yes,inthethirdact.

CUTTO:

INT.THEOPERAHOUSEDAY1780'S

Itisafullorchestralrehearsal.Mozartisconductingfrom
theharpsichordwithhishands;hedoesnotuseabaton.
Thesingersareallinpracticeclothes,notcostumes.

WeareintheActIIIandweheartherecitativoexchange
justbeforethemarchbegins.OrsiniRosenbergandBonnosit
watchingchairs.

Suddenlythemarchstarts.Peasantsandfriendsstartto
danceinandatthesamemoment,OrsiniRosenberggetsup
andcomesdowntoMozart.Heisaccompaniedbyananxious
Bonno.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Mozart!HerrMozart,mayIhavea
wordwithyouplease.Rightaway.

MOZART
Certainly,HerrDirector.

Hesignalstothecasttobreakoff.

MOZART
Fiveminutes,please!

Thecompanydisperses,curious.ThemusicianslookatOrsini
Rosenberg.

ORSINIROSENBERG
DidyounotknowthatHisMajesty
hasexpresslyforbiddenballetin
hisoperas?

MOZART
Yes,butthisisnotaballet.This
isadanceatFigaro'swedding.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Exactly.Adance.
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MOZART
ButsurelytheEmperordidn'tmean
toprohibitdancingwhenit'spart
ofthestory.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Itisdangerousforyoutointerpret
HisMajesty'sedicts.Givemeyour
score,please.

Mozarthandshimthescorefromwhichheisconducting.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Thankyou.

Heripsoutapage.Bonnowatchesinterror.

MOZART
Whatareyoudoing?

Heripsoutthreemore.

MOZART
Whatareyoudoing,HerrDirector?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Takingoutwhatyoushouldnever
haveputin.

Hegoesontearingthepagesdeterminedly.

CUTTO:

INT.SALIERI'SSALONDAY1780'S

Aservantopensthedoortoannounce.

SERVANT
HerrMozart.

MozartbrushespasthimstraighttowardsSalieri,whorises
togreethim.Thelittlemanisnearhysterics.

MOZART
Please!Please.I'venooneelseto
turnto.Please!

HegrabsSalieri.

SALIERI
Wolfgang,whatisit?Stacalmo,per
favore.What'sthematter?

MOZART
It'sunbelievable!TheDirectorhas
actuallyrippedoutahugesection
ofmymusic.Pagesofit.

SALIERI
Really?Why?

MOZART
Idon'tknow.TheysayI'vegotto
rewritetheopera,butit'sperfect
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asitis.Ican'trewritewhat's
perfect.Can'tyoutalktohim?

SALIERI
WhybotherwithOrsiniRosenberg?
He'sobviouslynofriendofyours.

MOZART
Oh,Icouldkillhim!Imeanreally
killhim.Iactuallythrewtheentire
operaonthefire,hemademeso
angry!

SALIERI
Youburnedthescore?

MOZART
Ohno!Mywifetookitoutintime.

SALIERI
Howfortunate.

MOZART
It'snotfairthatamanlikethat
haspoweroverourwork.

SALIERI
Buttherearethosewhohavepower
overhim.IthinkI'lltakethisup
withtheEmperor.

MOZART
Oh,Excellency,wouldyou?

SALIERI
Withallmyheart,Mozart.

MOZART
Thankyou!Oh,thankyou.

HekissesSalieri'shand.

SALIERI
(withdrawingit;
imitatingtheEmperor)
No,no,no,HerrMozart,please.
It'snotaholyrelic.

Mozartgiggleswithreliefandgratitude.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
I'msureIdon'tneedtotellyouI
saidnothingwhatevertotheEmperor.
Iwenttothetheatrereadytotell
MozartthatHisMajestyhadflown
intoaragewhenImentionedthe
ballet,whensuddenly,tomy
astonishment,inthemiddleofthe
thirdact,theEmperorwhonever
attendedrehearsalssuddenly
appeared.

INT.OPERAHOUSEDAY1780'S
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InthebackgroundthesamerecitativobeforetheMarch.The
EmperorstealsinsurreptitiouslywithVonStrack,hisfinger
tohislips.Hemotionseveryonenottorise,andslipsinto
achairbehindSalieri,OrsiniRosenbergandBonno.

Thethreeconspiratorslookateachotherwideeyed.

Therecitativosummonsupthemarch,butinsteadthereis
silence.Mozartlaysdownhisbaton.Themusicianslaydown
theirinstruments.ThecelebrantsofFigaro'sweddingcome
inwithafewpitifuldancesteps,inprocession,onlyto
comepresentlytoahalt,lackingtheirmusic.Thesingers
trytogoonsinging,buttheyhavenocuesfromtheir
conductororfromtheaccompaniment.Everyoneonstagelooks
lost,thoughtheyattempttogoonwiththestoryforawhile.
Consternationgrowsonthefacesoftheconspirators.Mozart
glancesbackatthegroupseatedinthetheatre.Finally,
theEmperorspeaks,inawhisper.

JOSEPH
Whatisthis?Idon'tunderstand.
Isitmodern?

BONNO
Majesty,theHerrDirector,hehas
removedaballetothatwouldhave
occurredatthisplace.

JOSEPH
Why?

ORSINIROSENBERG
Itisyourregulation,Sire.Noballet
inyouropera.

Mozartstrainstohearwhattheyaresayingbutcannot.

JOSEPH
Doyoulikethis,Salieri?

SALIERI
Itisnotaquestionofliking,Your
Majesty.Yourownlawdecreesit,
I'mafraid.

JOSEPH
Well,lookatthem.

Wedolookatthem.Thespectacleonstagehasnowgroundto
acompletehalt.

JOSEPH
No,no,no!Thisisnonsense.Letme
hearthescenewiththemusic.

ORSINIROSENBERG
But,Sire

JOSEPH
Obligeme.

OrsiniRosenbergacknowledgeshisdefeat.

ORSINIROSENBERG
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Yes,Majesty.

OrsiniRosenbergrisesandgoesdowntowhereMozartsits
anxiouslywiththemusicians,watchinghisapproach.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Canweseethescenewiththemusic
back,please?

MOZART
Ohyes,certainly.Certainly,Herr
Director!

HelooksbackdeliriouslyatSalieri,tryingtoindicatehis
gratitude.Salieriacknowledgeswithaslightandsubtle
nod.

OrsiniRosenbergreturnstohisking.

MOZART
Ladiesandgentlemen,we'regoing
fromwherewestopped.TheCount:
Anchesso.Rightaway,please!

Thesingersscatteroffstagetobeginthesceneagain.

JOSEPH
(toOrsiniRosenberg)
WhatIhopedbythatedict,Director,
wassimplytopreventhoursofdancing
likeinFrenchopera.Thereitis
endless,asyouknow.

ORSINIROSENBERG
Quiteso,Majesty.

CUTBACKTOMozartatthefortepiano,raisinghishands.
Themusiciansraisetheirbows.Withaflourishthehappy
composerbeginsarepriseofthescenewhichhadbeencut
out.Themusicofthemarchbeginsfaintly;thecelebrants
ofFigaro'sweddingstarttoenterastheCountandthe
Countesssitintheirchairs.

InthetheatreweseeincreasingpleasureontheEmperor's
face,sullennessanddefeatonthecourtiers'.Then,suddenly,
withoutinterruption,onacrescendorepeatofthemarch,we

CUTTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

Thetheatreisbrilliantlylitforthefirstpublic
performanceofFigaro.Everybodyisthere:theEmperor,Von
Strack,BonnoOrsiniRosenberg,VonSwieten,evenMadame
Weberandherdaughtersinabox.Themusiciansallwear
imperiallivery;theactorsonstagearenowincostume.
Mozart,conducting,wearshisOrderoftheGoldenSpur.The
companywheelsinandaroundtothemusicoftherestored
march,whichreachesatriumphantclimax.

CUTTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
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(toVogler)
SoFigarowasproducedinspiteof
me.Andinspiteofme,awonderwas
revealed.Oneofthetruewondersof
art.Therestoredthirdactwasbold
andbrilliant.Thefourthwasa
miracle.

Thedescendingscaleofstringsinthefinalensemble(Ah,
Tutticontenti.Saremocosi)fadesin.

INT.OPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

WeseethetableauonstagewiththeCountkneelingtothe
Countess.Allaresinging.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Isawawomandisguisedinhermaid's
clotheshearherhusbandspeakthe
firsttenderwordshehasoffered
herinyears,onlybecausehethinks
sheissomeoneelse.Iheardthe
musicoftrueforgivenessfilling
thetheatre,conferringonallwho
satthereaperfectabsolution.God
wassingingthroughthislittleman
toalltheworldunstoppable
makingmydefeatmorebitterwith
eachpassingbar.

CU,Salieriinhisbox,tearsonhischeeks.Hewatchesthe
ensembleandwelistentoitforalongmoment.Finallyit
fades,butcontinuesunderneaththefollowing:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
Andthensuddenlyamiracle!

CUTBACKTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

Theensemblereachesitsclimax,andfadesawaytothevery
quiet,slowchordsimmediatelyprecedingtheboisterousfinal
chord.Salieribecomesawarethatsomeoftheaudienceare
asleepandmanymareareapathetic.Inthenearsilencewe
seetheEmperoryawnbehindhishand.Thosenearbylookat
him.OrsiniRosenbergsmiles.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
Father,didyouknowwhatthatmeant?
WiththatyawnIsawmydefeatturn
intoavictory.AndMozartwaslucky
theEmperoronlyyawnedonce.Three
yawnsandtheoperawouldfailthe
samenight;twoyawns,withinaweek
atmost.Withoneyawnthecomposer
couldstillget

CUTTO:
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INT.SALIERI'SSALONDAY1780'S

Mozartispacingupanddown.Salieriislistening
sympathetically.

MOZART
Nineperformances!Nine!That'sall
it'shadandwithdrawn.

SALIERI
Iknow;it'soutrageous.Still,if
thepublicdoesn'tlikeone'swork
onehastoacceptthefactgracefully.

MOZART
Butwhatisittheydon'tlike?

SALIERI
Well,IcanspeakfortheEmperor.
Youmadetoomanydemandsonthe
royalear.Thepoormancan't
concentrateformorethananhour
andyougavehimfour.

MOZART
Whatdidyouthinkofityourself?
Didyoulikeitatall?

SALIERI
Ithinkit'smarvelous.Truly.

MOZART
It'sthebestoperayetwritten.I
knowit!Whydidn'ttheycome?

SALIERI
Ithinkyouoverestimateourdear
Viennese,myfriend.Doyouknowyou
didn'tevengivethemagoodbangat
theendofsongssotheyknewwhen
toclap?

MOZART
Iknow,Iknow.Perhapsyoushould
givemesomelessonsinthat.

SALIERI
(fuming)
Iwouldn'tpresume.Allthesame,if
itwouldn'tbeimposing,Iwould
likeyoutoseemynewpiece.It
wouldbeatremendoushonourforme.

MOZART
Ohno,thehonourwouldbeallmine.

SALIERI
(bowing)
Grazie,miocaro,Wolfgang!

MOZART
Grazie,alei,SignorAntonio!

Hebowstoo,giggling.
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CUTTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

AperformanceofSalieri'sgrandopera,Axur:KingofOrmus.
Deafeningapplausefromacrowdedhouse.Weseethereception
oftheariawhichwesawCavalierisingingonthestagenear
thestartofthefilm.Cavalieri,inamythologicalPersian
costume,isbowingtotherapturousthrong;belowheris
Salieri.WeseetheEmperor,VonStrack,OrsiniRosenberg,
BonnoandVonSwieten,allapplauding.Weheargreatcries
of'Salieri!Salieri!'and'Bravo!'and'Brava!'

CU,Salierilookingatthecrowdwithimmensepleasure.
Thensuddenlyat:

CU,Mozartstandinginaboxandclappingwildly.Behind
him,seated,areSchikanederandthethreegirlswesawbefore
inMozart'sapartment.

CU,SalieristaringfixedlyatMozart,thenMozartstill
clapping,apparentlywithtremendousenthusiasm.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Whatwasthis?Ineversawhimexcited
beforebyanymusicbuthisown.
Couldhemeanit?

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
(toVogler)
Wouldheactuallytellmemymusic
hadmovedhim?WasIreallygoingto
hearthatfromhisownlips?Ifound
myselfactuallyhurryingthetempo
ofthefinale.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.OPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

SaliericonductingthelastscenefromAxur:KingofOrmus.
Onstageweseeabigsceneofacclamation:theheroand
heroineoftheoperaacceptingthecrownamidsttherejoicing
ofthepeople.Thedecorandcostumesaremythological
Persian.Themusicisutterlyconventionalandtotally
uninventive.

CU,Mozartwatchingthisinhisbox,withSchikanederand
thethreeactresses.Hepassesanopenbottleofwineto
them.Heisevidentlyalittledrunk,butkeepsapokerface.

Theactcomestoanend.GreatapplauseinwhichMozartjoins
in,standingandshouting'Bravo!Bravo!'Thenheleavesthe
boxwithSchikanederandthegirls.

INT.CORRIDOROFTHEOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

MOZART
(toSchikaneder)
Well?

SCHIKANEDER
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(mockmoved)
Sublime!Utterlysublime!

MOZART
Thatkindofmusicshouldbe
punishablebydeath.

Schikanederlaughs.

CUTTO:

INT.STAGEOFTHEOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

AcrowdofpeopleringsSalieriatarespectfuldistance.
TheEmperorisholdingouttheCivilianMedalandChain.

JOSEPH
Ibelievethatisthebestoperayet
written,myfriends.Salieri,you
arethebrighteststarinthemusical
firmament.YoudohonourtoVienna
andtome.

Salieribowshishead.Josephplacesthechainaroundhis
neck.Thecrowdclaps.Salierimakestokisshishand,but
Josephrestrainshim,andpasseson.Cavalieri,smiling
adoringly,giveshimadeepcurtsey,andheraisesherup.

ThecrowdallflocktoSalieriwithcriesandwordsof
approval.Allwanttoshakehishand.Theytugandpathim.
Buthehaseyesforonlyonemanhelooksabouthim,
searchingforhimandthenfindshim.Mozartstandsthere.
EagerlySalierimovestohim.

SALIERI
Mozart.Itwasgoodofyoutocome.

MOZART
HowcouldInot?

SALIERI
Didmyworkpleaseyou?

MOZART
Howcoulditnot,Excellency?

SALIERI
Yes?

MOZART
Ineverknewthatmusiclikethat
waspossible.

SALIERI
Youflatterme.

MOZART
Ohno!Onehearssuchsoundsand
whatcanonesay,butSalieri!

Salierismiles.

CUTTO:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1780'S
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ExplosivelaughterasMozartandSchikanederenterthe
apartment,verypleasedwiththemselvesandaccompaniedby
thethreeactresses.Thefrontdooropens,verygingerly.
Mozart,stillratherdrunk,stickshisheadintotheroom,
anxiousnottomakeanoise.Heseesthestrangersandbreaks
intoasmile.

MOZART
Oh.Everybody'shere!We'vegot
guests.Good.I'vebroughtsomemore.

HeopensthedoorwidetoadmitSchikanederandthegirls.

MOZART
We'llhavealittleparty.Comein.
Comein.YouknowHerrSchikaneder?
(toagirl)
Thisis!averynicegirl.

CONSTANZE
(standingup)
Wolfi.

MOZART
Yes,mylove?

CONSTANZE
ThesegentlemenarefromSalzburg.

MOZART
Salzburg.Wewerejusttalkingabout
Salzburg.
(tothetwomen,
jubilantly)
Ifyou'vecomefrommyfriendthe
Fartsbishop,you'vearrivedatjust
therightmoment.BecauseI'vegot
goodnewsforhim.I'mdonewith
Vienna.It'sover,finished,done
with!Donewith!Donewith!

CONSTANZE
Wolfi!Yourfatherisdead.

MOZART
What?

CONSTANZE
Yourfatherisdead.

ThefirstloudchordoftheStatuescenefromDonGiovanni
sounds.Mozartstares.

INT.ANOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

Thesecondchordsounds.Onstageweseethehugefigureof
theCommendatoreinrobesandhelmet,extendinghisarmsand
pointinginaccusation.

INT.ANOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

Thesecondchordsounds.

Onstageweseeahugenailedfistcrashthroughthewallof
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apainteddiningroomset.Thegiantarmouredstatueofthe
COMMENDATOREenterspointinghisfingerinaccusationatDon
Giovanniwhositsatthesuppertable,staringhisservant
Leporelloquakingwithfearunderthetable.

THECOMMENDATORE
(singing)
DonGiovanni!

Thefigureadvancesonthelibertine.WeseeMozart
conducting,paleanddeeplyinvolved.Musicfadesdowna
little.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Sorosethedreadfulghostinhis
nextandblackestopera.Thereon
thestagestoodthefigureofadead
commandercallingout'Repent!
Repent!'

Themusicswells.WeseeSalieristandingaloneintheback
ofabox,unseen,insemidarkness.Wealsoseethatthe
theatreisonlyhalffull.Musicfadesdown.

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
AndIknewonlyIunderstood
thatthehorrifyingapparitionwas
Leopold,raisedfromthedead.
Wolfganghadactuallysummonedup
hisownfathertoaccusehisson
beforealltheworld.Itwas
terrifyingandwonderfultowatch.

Musicswellsupagain.Wewatchthesceneonstageasthe
CommendatoreaddressesGiovanni.ThenbacktoSalieriinthe
box.Musicdownagain.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OLDSALIERI
Nowamadnessbeganinme.Themadness
ofamansplittinginhalf.Through
myinfluenceIsawtoitDonGiovanni
wasplayedonlyfivetimesinVienna.
ButinsecretIwenttoeveryoneof
thosefiveallaloneunableto
helpmyself,worshippingsoundI
aloneseemedtohear.

INT.ANOPERAHOUSENIGHT1780'S

OLDSALIERI(V.O.)
Andhourafterhour,asIstoodthere,
understandingevenmoreclearlyhow
thatbitteroldmanwasstill
possessinghispoorsonfrombeyond
thegrave,Ibegantoseeawaya
terriblewayIcouldfinallytriumph
overGod,mytorturer.

Musicswells.OnstageDonGiovanniisseizedandgrippedby
theStatue'sicyhand.Flamesburstfromobviouslyartificial
rocks.DemonsappearanddragthelibertinedowntoHell.
Thesceneends.

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CU,Salieri,staringwideeyed.

CUTTO:

EXT.SCHIKANEDER'STHEATREVIENNANIGHT1780'S

Weseehugeandattractivepostersandbillboardsadvertising
Schikaneder'stroupe.Thecameraconcentratesontheone
whichreadsasfollows:

EMMANUELSCHIKANEDER
Impresariodeluxe
PRESENTS
TheCelebrated
SCHIKANEDERTROUPEOFPLAYERS
IN
AnEveningof
PARODY
Music!Mirth!Magic!
ALLSONGSANDSPEECHESWRITTEN
BY
EMMANUELSCHIKANEDER
whopersonallywillappearineveryscene!

CUTTO:

INT.SCHIKANEDER'STHEATRENIGHT1780'S

Noise;smoke;theaudienceissittingattablesforanevening
ofvaudeville.Mozart,ConstanzeandtheirsonKarl,now
abouttwoyearsold,andsittingonhismother'slap,are
watchingaparodyscenebySchikaneder'stroupe.Theyare
rowdy,bawdyandsilly,incorporatingmotifs,situationsand
tunesfromMozart'soperaswhichwehaveseenandheard.
Beforethemonthetablearebottlesofwineandbeer,plates
ofsausages,etc.

THEPARODY

OnstageweseeasetwhichparodiesthediningroominDon
Giovanni'spalace,shownbefore.

SchikanederasDonGiovanniisdancingwiththethree
actressestotheminuetfromDonGiovanni(endofActI),
playedbyaquartetoftipsymusicians.Leporelloishanding
aroundwineonatray.

Suddenlythereisatremendousknockingfromoutside.The
musicslitherstoastop.Alllookateachotherinpanic.
Leporellodropshistraywithacrash.Allgoquiet.One
moreknockisheard.Thenallmusicians,actresses,Don
GiovanniandLeporellomakeadashtohideunderthetable
whichisfartoosmalltoaccommodatethemall.Thetable
rocks.Schikanederispushedout.Heisterrified.Heshakes
elaborately.Threemoreknocksareheard;louder.

SCHIKANEDER
Whoisit?

Onemoreknock.

SCHIKANEDER
Ccccomein!

InthepitachromaticscalefromtheOverturetoDonGiovanni
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turnsintoaanticipatoryvamp.Thisgrowsmoreandmore
menacinguntilthewholeflatrepresentingthewallatthe
backfallsdown.

Anabsurdpantomimehorsegallopsin.Ithasaridiculous
expression,andismannedbyfourmeninside.Standing
precariouslyonitsbackisadwarf,wearingaminiature
versionofthearmourandhelmetwornbytheCommendatore.
Hesingsinahigh,nasalvoice:

COMMENDATORE
(singing)
DonGiovannnnnnnnnni!

Hetriestokeephisbalanceashetrotsin,butfails.He
fallsoffontothestage.Hebeatsatthehorse,tryingto
getbackon.

COMMENDATORE
Down!Down!

Bewildered,thehorselooksabouthim,butcannotseehis
smallriderwhoisbelowhislevelofsight.

COMMENDATORE
I'mhere!I'mhere!

Thehorse,amidstlaughterfromtheaudience,failstolocate
him.Exasperated,thedwarfsignalstosomeoneinthewings.
Atallmanstridesoutcarryingaseesaw;onhisshoulders
standsanotherman.

Thedwarfstandsontheloweredendoftheseesaw.Thereis
adrumrollandthemanabovejumpsdownontotheraisedend
andtheCommendatoreisabruptlycatapultedbackontothe
horse,onlybackwardssothatheisfacingawayfromDon
Giovanni.Thetwomenbowtotheapplaudingaudience,and
retireoffstage.

TheCommendatoretriestoextendhisarmsintheproper
menacingattitude,andatthesametimeturnaroundtoface
DonGiovanni.Thishefindsdifficult.

COMMENDATORE
(singing)
DonGiovannnnnnnni!

SCHIKANEDER
Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
want?

COMMENDATORE
(singing)
I'vecometodinnnnnner!

SCHIKANEDER
Dinner?Howdareyou?Iamanobleman.
Ionlydinewithpeopleofmyown
height.

COMMENDATORE
Areyoudrunk?Youinvitedme.And
myhorse.Hereheis.Ottavio!

Thehorsetakesabow.Thedwarfalmostfallsoffagain.
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COMMENDATORE
Whoa!Whoa!Stopit!

Thethreegirlsrushtohisaidandreachhimjustintime.
TheysinginthemanneroftheTreeLadieslatertobeput
intoTheMagicFlute.

FIRSTLADY
(runningandsinging)
Becareful!

SECONDLADY
(runningandsinging)
Becareful!

THIRDLADY
(runningandsinging)
Becareful!

ALLTHREETOGETHER
(closeharmony)
Holdtightnow!

Theygrabhim.

COMMENDATORE
(angry)
Leavemealone!Stopit!I'mafamous
horseman.

OTTAVIO
AndI'mafamoushorse!

Hegivestheladiesaradiantsmile.Thethreeladiessing,
asbefore,incloseharmony.

FIRSTLADY
(singing)
He'sadorable!

SECONDLADY
(singing)
Adorable!

THIRDLADY
(singing)
Adorable!

Anorchestralchord.ThethreeladiesturntoOttavioand
singtohim.

THREELADIES
(singingtogether)
Givemeyourhoof,mydarling,And
I'llgiveyoumyheart!Takemeto
yourstable,Andnevermorewe'll
part!

OTTAVIO
(singing:fourmale
voices)
I'mshyandverybashful.Idon't
knowwhattosay.

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THREELADIES
(singingtogether)
Don'thesitateasecond.Justanswer
yesandneigh.

Ottavioneighsloudly,andrunsatthegirls.

COMMENDATORE
(speaking)
Stopit.Whatareyoudoing?Remember
whoyouare!You'reahorseandthey
arewhores.

Boosfromtheaudience.

SCHIKANEDER
(speaking)
Thisisridiculous.Iwon'thaveany
ofit.You'returningmyhouseinto
acircus!

Atrapezesailsinfromabove.Onitstandsagrandsoprano
wearinganelaborateTurkishcostume,likeaparodyof
Cavalieri'sinIlSeraglio.Shecomesinsingingamad
coloraturascaleinthemannerofMarternallerArten.

SCHIKANEDER
(speaking)
Shutup.Women,women,women!I'm
sicktodeathofthem.

Hemarchesoffstage.

SOPRANO
(singingdramatically)
Dashme!Bashme!Lashme!Flayme!
Slayme!AtlastIwillbefreedby
death!

COMMENDATORE
Shutup.

SOPRANO
(swingingandsinging)
Killme!Killme!Killme!Killme!
AtlastIshallbefreedbydeath.
AtlastIshallbefreedbydea

TheCommendatorepullsouthissword,reachesupandthrusts
herthroughwithit.Thesopranocollapsesonthebarofthe
trapeze.Theaudienceapplauds.Atthesamemomenteight
dwarvesmarchinbearingahugecauldronofsteamingwater.
Theysingastheymarchtothesoundofthemarchthatwas
cutfromActIIIofFigaro.Theyaredressedasminiature
copiesofthechorusinthatsceneexceptthattheyare
wearingcooks'hats.

EIGHTDWARVES
(singing)
We'regoingtomakeasopranostew!
We'regoingtomakeasopranostew!
Andwhenyoumakeasopranostew!
Anystupidsopranowilldo!Anystew
stewstewstewstew!Anystewpid
sopranowilldo!
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Theysetthegiantpotdowninthemiddleofthestage.The
trapezewiththedeadsopranoisstillswingingabovethe
stage.

WehearthechromaticscalefromtheDonGiovannioverture
again,repeatedandrepeated,onlynowfastandtremolando.
TothisexcitingvampSchikanedersuddenlyridesinona
realhorse,wavingarealsword.Withthishecutsthestring
ofthetrapeze,andthesopranofallsintothepot.A
tremendoussplashofwater.Schikanederridesout.More
applause.

Allthedwarvesproducelongwoodencookingspoonsandclimb
upthesidesofthepot.Thethreegirlsproducelabeled
bottlesfromundertheirskirts.ThefirstisSALT.

FIRSTLADY
(singing)
Behold!

PEPPER

SECONDLADY
(singing)
Behold!

Shesneezes.

ANDSCHNAPPS

THIRDLADY
(singing)
Behold!

Shehiccups.

Theythrowthemintothepot.

COMMENDATORE
(speakingtothe
dwarves)
Howlongdoesittaketocooka
soprano?

DWARVES
(alltogether)
Fivehours,fiveminutes,five
seconds.

COMMENDATORE
(speaking)
Ican'twaitthatlong.I'mstarving!

OTTAVIO
(speaking;fourvoices)
SoamI.

SchikanedermarchesinasFigaro.

SCHIKANEDER
(singingtothetune
ofNonpiuante)
Inthepot,Ihavegotagooddinner.
Notasausageorstew,butasinger.
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Notasausageorstewbutasinger.
IsthetreatthatI'lleatformy
meat!

COMMENDATORE
Ohshutup.I'msicktodeathof
thattune.

CU,Mozartlaughingdelightedlywiththeaudience.

THETHREEGIRLS
(singingagaintothe
horse)
Givemeyourhoof,mydarling,and
I'llgiveyoumyheart.

COMMENDATORE
Shutup.I'msickofthatonetoo.

Allthedwarvesclimbuptherimofthepot.Astheyclimb,
theyallhumtogethertheopeningofEineKleineNachtmusik.

COMMENDATORE
Andthatone,too!

Thesopranorises,drippingwithwaterinthemiddleofthe
pot.

SOPRANO
(singing)
Oilme!Broilme!Boilme!

Allthedwarvesbeatherbackdownintothepotwiththeir
longwoodenspoons.

SOPRANO
(frominsidethepot)
Soilme!Foilme!Spoilme!

HORSE
Ican'teather.Sopranosgiveme
hiccups.Iwantsomehay!

FIRSTLADY
(singingtoSchikaneder)
Hey!

SECONDLADY
(singingtoSchikaneder)
Hey!

THIRDLADY
(singingtoSchikaneder)
Hey!

SCHIKANEDER
Heywhat?

ALLTHREELADIES
(singingtoLaoi
daram)
Givehimsomehay,mydarling,and
I'llgiveyoumyheart!

COMMENDATORE
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Shutup.

SCHIKANEDER
Leporello!Wewantsomehay
prestissimo!Leporellowhereare
you?

ThetableisraisedintheairbyLeporellosittingunderit
onabaleofhay.

FIRSTLADY
(singingtohorse)
Behold!

SECONDLADY
(singingtohorse)
Behold!

THIRDLADY
(singingtohorse)
Behold!

Ottaviothehorsegivesapiercingneighandrunsdownto
thehay.

COMMENDATORE
(holdingon)
Hey!Hey!Watchout!

Thevampstartsagainvigorously.Thehorse'srearendswings
aroundonahingetoturnhishindquartersstraightonto
theaudience.Therestofhimstayssideways.Histailsprings
upintheairtorevealalacehandkerchiefmodestlyhiding
hisarsehole.

Schikanederoffershimahandfulofhay.Thehorseeatsit,
andouttheotherendcomesalongViennesesausage.The
audienceroarswithlaughter.Anotherhandfulofhayandout
oftheotherendfallsastringofsausages.Thenalarge
pie,crustandall.Thenashoweroficedcakes!

Suddenlysilence.Schikanederproducesaneggfromhis
pocket.Ottaviothehorserearsupindisgust.

COMMENDATORE
Whoa!Whoa,Ottavio!Whoa!

Leporellopriesopenthehorse'smouth.Schikanederpopsthe
eggintoit.Abreathlesspauseasadrumrollbuildsthe
tension,upandupandup,andthensuddenlyoutofthe
horse'srearendfliesasinglewhitedove.

Wildapplause.

Itfliesintotheaudience.Immediatelyallthecaststart
hummingthelyricalfinalefromFigaro:TuttiContenti.
Moreandmoredovesflyoutfromthewingsandfillthe
theatre.Everybodypicksupthesausagesandcakesandbegins
toeat.Theendofthesketchisunexpectedlylyricaland
magical,andthen,suddenly,thetempochangesandthecoarse
strainsofIchMochtewohlDerKaisertakeoverandthewhole
companyisdancing,frantically.Ageneraldanceasthe
curtainfalls.

Itrisesimmediately.TheaudienceincludingMozartis
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delighted.Theyapplaudvigorously.Schikanedertakesabow
amongsthistroupe.Amongmuchwhistlingandclapping,he
finallyjumpsoffthestageandstridesthroughtheaudience
towardthetablewhereMozartsitswithhisfamily.Onstage,
atroupeofbagpipersimmediatelyappearstoplayanold
Germantune.Someoftheaudiencejoinsinsingingit.

SCHIKANEDER
Well,howdoyoulikethat?

Mozartissmiling;hehasbeenamused.Constanzehasbeen
lessamusedandislookingapprehensive.

MOZART
Wonderful!
(indicatinghisbaby
son)
Helikedthemonkey,didn'tyou?

SCHIKANEDER
Yes,well,it'sallgoodfun.

MOZART
Ilikedthehorse.

Schikanedersitsatthetable,anddrinksfromabottleof
wine.

SCHIKANEDER
Isn'themarvelous?Hecostmea
bundle,thathorse,buthe'sworth
it.Itellyou,ifyou'dplayedDon
Giovannihereitwouldhavebeena
greatsuccess.I'mnotjoking.These
peoplearen'tfools.Youcoulddo
somethingmarvelousforthem.

MOZART
I'dliketotrythemsomeday.I'm
notsureI'dbemuchgoodatit.

SCHIKANEDER
'Courseyouwould.Youbelonghere,
myboy,notthesnobbyCourt.You
coulddoanythingyoufeltlikehere
themorefantasticthebetter!That's
whatpeoplewant,youknow:fantasy.
Youdoabigproduction,fillit
withbeautifulmagictricksandyou'll
beabsolutelyfreetodoanything
youwant.Ofcourse,you'dhaveto
putafireinit,becauseI'vegot
thebestfiremachineinthecity
andabigfloodIcandoyouthe
finestwatereffectsyoueversawin
yourlife.Oh,andafewtrick
animals.You'dhavetousethose.

MOZART
Animals?

SCHIKANEDER
ItellyouIpickedupasnakein
Dresdenlastweektwelvefootlong
foldsuptosixinches,justlikea
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paperfan.It'samiracle.

Mozartlaughs.

SCHIKANEDER
I'mserious.Youwriteaproperpart
formewithacoupleofcatchysongs,
I'llguaranteeyou'llhaveatriumph
deluxe.Mindyou,it'llhavetobe
inGerman.

MOZART
German!

SCHIKANEDER
Ofcourse!Whatelsedoyouthink
theyspeakhere?

MOZART
No,no,Ilovethat.I'dwantitto
beinGerman.Ihaven'tdoneanything
inGermansinceSeraglio.

SCHIKANEDER
Sothereyouare.Whatdoyousay?

CONSTANZE
Howmuchwillyoupayhim?

SCHIKANEDER
Ah.Well.Ah,
(toMozart)
Iseeyou'vegotyourmanagerwith
you.Well,Madame,howabouthalf
thereceipts?

MOZART
Halfthereceipts!Stanzi!

CONSTANZE
I'mtalkingaboutnow.Howmuchwill
yougivehimnow?Downpayment?

SCHIKANEDER
Downpayment?WhodoyouthinkIam?
TheEmperor?Whoops,Ihavetogo.

Herisesinhasteforhisnextnumber.

SCHIKANEDER
Staywhereyouare.You'regoingto
likethisnextone.We'llspeakagain.
Triumphdeluxe,myboy!

HewinksatMozartanddisappearstowardthestage.Mozart
looksafterhim,enchanted.

CONSTANZE
You'renotgoingtodothis?

MOZART
Whynot?Halfthehouse!

CONSTANZE
When?Weneedmoneynow.Eitherhe
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paysnow,oryoudon'tdoit.

MOZART
Oh,Stanzi.

CONSTANZE
Idon'ttrustthisman.AndIdidn't
likewhathedidwithyouropera.
Itwascommon.

MOZART
(toKarl)
Well,youlikedit,didn'tyou?
Monkeyflunkipunki.

CONSTANZE
Halfthehouse!You'llneverseea
penny.Iwantithere,inmyhand.

MOZART
(dirty)
Stanzimanzi,I'llputitinyour
hand!

CONSTANZE
Shutup!I'llnotletyouputanything
inmyhanduntilIseesomemoney.

Hegiggleslikeachild.

CUTTO:

INT.SCHLUMBERGHOUSEHALLWAYDAY1780'S

Dogsarebarkingwickedly.MichaelSchlumbergcomesinfrom
hissalon.Mozartstandstherelookingveryunwelland
bewildered.Heisalsodrunk,butmakingacarefulattempt
tokeephiscomposure.

SCHLUMBERG
HerrMozart.Whatasurprise.What
canIdoforyou?

MOZART
Ismypupilstillanxioustolearn
theartofmusic?

SCHLUMBERG
Well,yourpupilismarriedandliving
inMannheim,youngman.

MOZART
Really?Perhapsyourdearwifemight
caretoprofitfrommyinstruction?

SCHLUMBERG
Whatisthis,Mozart?What'sthe
matterwithyou?

MOZART
Well.Sinceitappearsnobodyis
eagertohiremyservices,couldyou
favourmewithalittlemoneyinstead?

SCHLUMBERG
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Whatfor?

MOZART
Ifamancannotearn,hemustborrow.

SCHLUMBERG
Well,thisishardlythewaytogo
aboutit.

MOZART
Nodoubt,sir.ButIamendowedwith
talent,andyouwithmoney.IfI
offermine,youshouldofferyours.

Pause.

SCHLUMBERG
I'msorry.No.

MOZART
Please.I'llgiveitback,Ipromise.
Please,sir.

SCHLUMBERG
Myanswerisno,Mozart.

CU,Mozart.Hisvoicebecomesmechanical.

MOZART
Please.Please.Please.Please.
Please.Please.

CUTTO:

INT.THEIMPERIALLIBRARYDAY1790'S

VonSwietenandSalieristandclosetogether.Severalscholars
andstudentsareexaminingscrollsandmanuscriptsatthe
otherendoftheroom.

VONSWIETEN
(keepinghisvoice
down)
Thisisembarrassing,youknow.You
introducedMozarttosomeofmy
friendsandhe'sbeggingfrom
practicallyallofthem.Ithasto
stop.

SALIERI
Iagree,Baron.

VONSWIETEN
Can'tyouthinkofanyonewhomight
commissionsomeworkfromhim?I've
donemybest.Igothimtoarrange
someBachformySundayconcerts.He
gotafeewhatIcouldafford.
Can'tyouthinkofanyonewhomight
dosomethingforhim?

SALIERI
No,Baron,no.I'mafraidMozartis
alostcause.Hehasmanagedto
alienatepracticallythewholeof
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Vienna.Heisconstantlydrunk.He
neverpayshisdebts.Ican'tthink
ofonepersontowhomIdarerecommend
him.

VONSWIETEN
Howsad.It'stragic,isn'tit?
Suchatalent.

SALIERI
Indeed.Justamomentasamatter
offactIthinkIdoknowsomeone
whocouldcommissionaworkfrom
him.Averyappropriatepersontodo
so.Yes.

TheopeningmeasuresofthePianoConcertoinDMinorsteal
in.

CUTTO:

INT.THECOSTUMESHOPVIENNADAY1790'S

ThisisexactlythesameshopwhichMozartandConstanze
visitedwithLeopold.NowSalieri'sservantstandsinit,
waiting.Weseeafewothercustomersbeingservedbythe
staff:rentingmasks,costumes,etc.Oneofthestaffemerges
fromthebackoftheshopcarryingalargebox,whichhe
handstoSalieri'sservant.Theservantleavestheshop.
Throughthewindowweseehimhurryingawaythroughthesnowy
streetfullofpassersby,carriages,etc.

INT.SALIERI'SAPARTMENTDUSK1790'S

TheDMinorConcertocontinues.Salieri,alone,eagerlyopens
theboxfromthecostumeshopandtakesoutthesamedark
cloakandhatthatLeopoldworetothemasquerade,onlynow
attachedtothehatisadarkmaskwhosemouthiscutintoa
frown,notalaugh.Itpresentsabitterandmenacing
expression.Heputsonthecloak,thehatandthemaskand
turnshisback.Suddenlyweseetheassembledandalarming
imagereflectedinafulllengthmirror.Themusicswells
darkly.

CUTTO:

EXT.ASNOWYSTREETINVIENNADUSK1790'S

AsthetuttioftheDMinorConcertocontinues,wesee
Salieri,dressedinthismenacingcostume,darkagainstthe
snow,stalkingthroughastreetwhichisotherwiselively
withpeoplegoingtovariousfestivities.Someofthemwear
frivolouscarnivalclothes.

INT.MOZART'SLIVINGROOMDUSK1790'S

Mozartsitswritingatatable.Heappearsnowtobereally
quitesick.Hisfaceexpressespainfromhisstomachcramps.
Thereisagentleknockatthedoor.Herises,goestohe
doorandopensit.ImmediatelythereisaSHOCKCUT:

Thedark,frowningmaskstaresathimandatus.Theviolent
DMinorchordwhichopensDonGiovanniisheard.Salieriin
costumestandsinthedoorway.

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SALIERI
HerrMozart?

Thesecondchordsoundsandfades.Mozartstaresinpanic.

SALIERI
Ihavecometocommissionworkfrom
you.

MOZART
Whatwork?

SALIERI
AMassforthedead.

MOZART
Whatdead?Whoisdead?

SALIERI
AmanwhodeservedaRequiemMass
andnevergotone.

MOZART
Whoareyou?

SALIERI
Iamonlyamessenger.Doyouaccept?
Youwillbepaidwell.

MOZART
Howmuch?

Salieriextendshishand.Initisabagofmoney.

SALIERI
Fiftyducats.AnotherfiftywhenI
havetheMass.Doyouaccept?

Almostagainsthiswill,Mozarttakesthemoney.

MOZART
Howlongwillyougiveme?

SALIERI
Workfast.Andbesuretotellno
onewhatyoudo.Youwillseeme
againsoon.

Heturnsaway.Mozartclosesthefrontdoor.Instantlywe
heartheopeningoftheRequiemMass(alsoinDMinor).
Mozartturnsandlooksupattheportraitofhisfatheron
thewall.Theportraitstaresback.Constanzeopensthedoor
fromthebedroom.Sheseeshimstaringup.

CONSTANZE
Wolfi?Wolfi!

Helooksatherwithstartledeyes.Themusicbreaksoff.

CONSTANZE
Whowasthat?

MOZART
Noone.

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CONSTANZE
Iheardvoices.

Hegivesastrangelittlegiggle.

CONSTANZE
What'sthematter?

Sheseesthebagofmoney.

CONSTANZE
What'sthat?Oh!
(pouncingonit)
Whogaveyouthis?Howmuchisit?
Wolfi,whogaveyouthis?

MOZART
I'mnottellingyou.

CONSTANZE
Whynot?

MOZART
You'dthinkIwasmad.

Hestaresather.Shestaresathim.

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMNIGHT1823

OldSalieriisnowwildlyanimated,totallydrivenbyhis
confessiontoVogler.

OLDSALIERI
Myplanwassosimple,itterrified
me.FirstImustgettheDeathMass
andthenachievethedeath.

Voglerstaresathiminhorror.

VOGLER
What?

OLDSALIERI
Hisfuneralimagineit!The
Cathedral,allViennasittingthere.
Hiscoffin,Mozart'slittlecoffin
inthemiddle.Andsuddenlyinthat
silence,music.Adivinemusicbursts
outoverthemall,agreatMassof
Death:RequiemMassforWolfgang
Mozart,composedbyhisdevotedfriend
AntonioSalieri.Whatsublimity!
Whatdepth!Whatpassioninthemusic!
SalierihasbeentouchedbyGodat
last.AndGod,forcedtolisten.
Powerlesspowerlesstostopit.I
attheend,foronce,laughingat
Him.Doyouunderstand?Doyou?

VOGLER
Yes.

OLDSALIERI
Theonlythingthatworriedmewas
theactualkilling.Howdoesonedo
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that?Howdoesonekillaman?It's
onethingtodreamaboutit.It's
verydifferentwhenyouhavetodo
it,withyourownhands.

Heraiseshisownhandsandstaresatthem.TheragingDies
IraefromMozart'sRequiemMassburstsuponus.

CUTTO:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1790'S

Mozartsitsworkingfranticallyatthisdemonicmusic.His
wholeexpressionisoneofwildnessandengulfingfever.He
pourswinedownhisthroat,spillingit,andgrimacesasit
hitshisstomach.Allaroundhimaremanuscripts.

Thereisabangingatthefrontdoor.Mozartdoesnothear
it;themusicraveson.Anotherknockingcomes,louder.
Constanzeappearsfromthebedroomandstaresather
distractedhusband.Theknockingisrepeatedagain,even
moreviolentlyandinsistently.

CONSTANZE
Wolfi.Wolfi!

Helooksather.Themusicbreaksoff.Silence.Anenormous
bangatthedoorstartleshim.

Constanzemovestoopenit.

MOZART
No.Don'tanswerit!

CONSTANZE
Why?

Mozartspringsup.Heisclearlyterrified.

MOZART
TellhimI'mnothere.TellhimI'm
workingonit.Comebacklater.

Herunsoutofheroom,intohisworkroom,andshutshedoor.
Nowalittlescaredherself,Constanzegoestohefrontdoor
andopensitcautiously.Schikanederstandsthere,floridly
dressedasusual.Lorlisseenpeekingoutfromthekitchen.

SCHIKANEDER
AmIinterruptingsomething?

CONSTANZE
Notatall.

SCHIKANEDER
(peeringintoheroom)
Where'sourfriend?

CONSTANZE
He'snotin.Buthe'sworkingonit.
Hesaidtotellyou.

SCHIKANEDER
Ihopeso.Ineeditimmediately.

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Hepushesherintotheroom.

SCHIKANEDER
Ishehappywithit?

Heseeshemanuscriptonthetable,andgoestoiteagerly.

SCHIKANEDER
Isthisit?

Hepicksupapagewithoutwaitingforareply.

SCHIKANEDER
Whatthedevilisthis?RequiemMass?
DoeshethinkI'minthefuneral
business?

Mozartopensheworkroomdoor.WeseehimasSchikaneder
seeshim:wildeyed,extremelypaleandstrange.

MOZART
Leavethatalone!

SCHIKANEDER
Wolfi!

MOZART
Putitdown!

SCHIKANEDER
Whatisthis?

MOZART
Putitdown,Isaid!It'snothing
foryou.

SCHIKANEDER
Oh!I'msorry!I'msorry!Whathave
yougotforme?Isitfinished?

MOZART
What?

SCHIKANEDER
What?Thevaudeville,what'dyou
think?

MOZART
Yes.

SCHIKANEDER
CanIseeit?

MOZART
No.

SCHIKANEDER
Whynot?

MOZART
Becausethere'snothingtosee.

Hegigglestriumphantly.Schikanederstaresathim.

SCHIKANEDER
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Look,Iaskedyouifwecouldstart
rehearsalnextweekandyousaid
yes.

MOZART
Well,wecan.

SCHIKANEDER
Soletmeseeit.Whereisit?

Mozart,withabright,ratherdementedsmilepresentshis
headtoSchikaneder.

MOZART
Here.It'sallrighthere,inmy
noodle.Therestisjustscribbling.
Scribblingandbibbling.Bibbling
andscribbling.Wouldyoulikea
drink?

Hegiggles.Schikanedersuddenlygrabshislapels.

SCHIKANEDER
Look,youlittleclown,doyouknow
howmanypeopleI'vehiredforyou?
Doyouknowhowmanypeopleare
waiting?

CONSTANZE
Leavehimalone!

SCHIKANEDER
I'mpayingthesepeople.Doyou
realizethat?

CONSTANZE
He'sdoinghisbest.

SCHIKANEDER
I'mpayingpeoplejusttowaitfor
you.It'sridiculous!

CONSTANZE
Youknowwhat'sridiculous?Your
libretto,that'swhat'sridiculous.
OnlyanidiotwouldaskWolfito
workonthatstuff!

SCHIKANEDER
Ohyes?Andwhat'ssointelligent
aboutwritingaRequiem?

CONSTANZE
Money!Money!

SCHIKANEDER
You'remad!She'smad,Wolfi.

CONSTANZE
Ohyes,andwhoareyou?He'sworked
forKings.FortheEmperor.
(shouting)
Whoareyou?

SchikanedersuddenlytakesMozartbythearms,andspeaksto
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himwithintenseappeal.

SCHIKANEDER
Listen,Wolfi.Writeit.Please.
Justwriteitdown.Onpaper.It's
nogoodtoanyoneinyourhead.And
fucktheDeathMass.

INT.SALIERI'SSALONDAY1790'S

AfrightenedandtearfulLorlsitsbeforeSalieri.

SALIERI
Nowcalmyourself.Calm.What'sthe
matterwithyou?

LORL
I'mleaving.I'mnotworkingthere
anymore.I'mscared!

SALIERI
Why?Whathashappened?

LORL
Youdon'tknowwhatit'slike.Herr
Mozartfrightensme.Hedrinksall
day,thentakesallthatmedicine
anditmakeshimworse.

SALIERI
Whatmedicine?

LORL
Idon'tknow.Hehaspains.

SALIERI
Where?

LORL
Here,inhisstomach.Theybendhim
rightover.

SALIERI
Isheworking?

LORL
I'mfrightened,sir.Really!Whenhe
speaks,hedoesn'tmakeanysense.
Youknowhesaidhesawhesaidhe
sawhisfather.Andhisfather's
dead.

SALIERI
Isheworking?

LORL
Isupposeso.Hesitsthereallhe
time,doingsomesillyopera.

SALIERI
(startled)
Opera?Opera!

LORL
Pleasedon'taskmetogobackagain.
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I'mfrightened!I'mvery,very
frightened.

SALIERI
(insistently)
Areyousureit'sanopera?

TheOverturetoTheMagicFlutebeginsgrandly.Tothemusic
oftheslowintroduction,wesee:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1790'S

Theroom,litbyafewcandles,appearsdirty.Thecamera
showsusagainLeopold'sportraitonthewall,lookingdown
uponasceneofdisorder.

Paperslitterthetable;dirtydishesarepiledinthe
fireplace;onthefortepianoliesMozart'sMasonicapron,
wovenwithsymbols.Tothemorelyricalpassageofthe
introduction,weseeMozarttakeupacandleandenter:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

WewatchhimstandbesideConstanze,wholiesasleep.Mozart
nowlooksveryill;hiswifeappearswornout.Tenderlyhe
touchesherhair.Thenhemovestothecotwherehisson
Karlliesasleepandkneels,pullsupthechild'slittle
blanketandforamomentlayshisownheaddownbesidethe
boy's.Constanzeopenshereyesandstaresathim.Mozart
risesandreturnsto:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1790'S

TheIntroductionendsandsuddenlythebrilliantfastfugue
begins.InstantlyMozartstartstodancetoit,allalone:
gleefully,likeachild.Helooksupathisfather'sportrait,
andmakesasilly,rudegestureatit.Heis,briefly,an
irresponsibleandhappyboyagain.

Thensuddenlythereisagentleknockingatthedoor.The
musicfadesdown.Warily,Mozartcrossesandopenshedoor.
ThefamiliardarkchordsfromDonGiovannicutacrossthe
happymusic.Itends.Beforehimstandsthemaskedstranger.

MOZART
Idon'thaveityet.It'snot
finished.I'msorry,butIneedmore
time.

SALIERI
Areyouneglectingmyrequest?

MOZART
No,no!Ipromiseyou,I'llgiveyou
awonderfulpiecethebestIever
can!

Heturnsandlooks.Constanzehascomeintothelivingroom.
Nervously,Mozartindicatesher.

MOZART
Thisismywife,Stanzi.I'vebeen
sick,butI'mallrightnow.Aren't
I?

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CONSTANZE
Ohyes,sir.He'sallright.And
he'sworkingonitveryhard.

MOZART
Givemetwomoreweeks.Please.

Saliericontemplatesthemboth.

SALIERI
Thesooneryoufinish,thebetter
yourreward.Work!

Heturnsandgoesdownthestairs.Mozartshutsthedoor;he
closeshiseyesinfear.

CONSTANZE
Wolfi,Ithinkyoureallyaregoing
mad.Youworklikeaslaveforthat
idiotactorwhowon'tgiveyoua
pennyandhere.Thisisnotaghost!
Thisisarealmanwhoputsdown
realmoney.Whyonearthdon'tyou
finishit?

Hewillnotlookatherorreply.

CONSTANZE
GivemeonereasonIcanunderstand.

MOZART
Ican'twriteit!

CONSTANZE
Whynot?

MOZART
It'skillingme.

Helooksathersuddenly.

CONSTANZE
No,thisisreallyawful.You're
drunk,aren'tyou?Behonesttell
meyou'vebeendrinking.AndI'm
sostupidIstayhereandlistento
you!

Suddenlyshestartstocry.

CONSTANZE
It'snotfair!Iworryaboutyouall
thetime.ItrytohelpyouallI
canandyoujustdrinkandtalk
nonsenseandandfrightenme!It's
notfair!

Hertearsflow.Mozartlooksatherhelplessly.

MOZART
Gobacktobed.

CONSTANZE
Please!Letmesithere.Letmestay
herewithyou.IpromiseIwon'tsay
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allword.I'lljustbehere,soyou
knownoone'sgoingtohurtyou.
Please,please!

Shesitsdowntearfully,staringathim.

WeheartheRexTremendaiMajestatisfromtheRequiemand
seeonthewalltheportraitofLeopoldMozartlookingdown.
Thecamerapansslowlydownwardfromitbacktothetable.
Mozartiswritingthemusic.Helooksupandseesthat
Constanzeisfastasleepinherchair.Mozartgetsupquietly.
Heputsonhishatandcloak,takesabottleofwineand
tiptoesfromthehouse.Withoutstopping,themusicchanges
fromtheheavyRequiemtothelightheartedpatterofthe
PapaPapaduetfromTheMagicFlute.

CUTTO:

INT.SCHIKANEDER'SSUMMERHOUSENIGHT1790'S

Thislittlewoodenstructurestandsinacourtyardinthe
tenementbytheWeiden.Inside,weseeatable,chairs,a
fortepiano,bottlesandachaosofpapers.Strewnaboutin
thechairsarethethreeactresses,giggling.Schikaneder
andMozart,bothdrunk,aresingingtheduetofthetwobird
people.TheactorsingsPapagenoandthecomposer,ina
sopranovoice,singsPapagenaatthekeyboard.Absurdly,
theyenduprubbingnosesandfalloneachother'snecks.

EXT.VIENNASTREETNIGHT1790'S

Mozart,drunkandhappy,staggersbackthroughthesnow.
Thereareafewpeopleabout.Hegoesintohisapartment
building.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTDAY1790'S

Hecomesthroughhedoorandstaresacrossthelivingroom
atanopenbedroomdoor.Puzzled,hecrosses.

Thebedroomisalsoempty.WeseeConstanze'semptybed;
Karl'semptybed;emptyclosets.

MOZART
Stanzi?Stanzimarinibini?

Helooksabouthim,puzzled.

INT.FRAUWEBER'SHOUSELIVINGROOMDAY1790'S

FrauWebersitsgrimlytalking.Mozartsitsalso,completely
exhaustedandpassiveundertherainofherconstantspeech.

FRAUWEBER
She'snotcomingback,youknow.
She'sgoneforgood.Ididitand
I'mproudofit.'Leave,'Isaid.
'Rightaway!Takehechildandgo,
justgo.Here'sthemoney!Gotothe
Spaandgetyourhealthbackthat's
ifyoucan.'Iwasshocked.Shocked
tomyfoundation.Isthatmygirl?
CanthatbemyStanzi?Thehappy
littlemoppetIbroughtup,that
poortremblingthing?Oh,youmonster!
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Nooneexistsbutyou,dothey?You
andyourmusic!Doyouknowhowoften
she'ssatinthatverychair,weeping
hereyesoutofherheadbecauseof
you?Iwarnedher.'Chooseaman,
notababy,'Isaid.Butwouldshe
listen?Wholistens?'He'sjusta
sillyboy,'shesays.Silly,myarse.
Selfishthat'sallyouare.Selfish!
Selfish,selfish,selfish,selfish,
selfish.

AndwithascreamMadameWeber'svoiceturnsintotheshrill
packingcoloraturaofthesecondactariaoftheQueenof
theNight,inTheMagicFlute.

DISSOLVETO:

INT.SCHIKANEDER'STHEATRENIGHT1790'S

OnstageweseetheQUEENOFTHENIGHTfantasticallycostumed,
furiouslyurgingherdaughtertokillSarastro.Asshesings,
weseetheinteriorofthetheatre,nowrearrangedfrom
whenwelastvisitedittowatchtheCabaret.Anaudienceof
ordinaryGermancitizensstandsinthepitarea,orsits:
theyareraptandexcited.

Thetheatrealsopossessesboxes;someoftheseshowclosed
curtainstheirinhabitantspresumablyengagedinprivate
intimacies.InoneofthemsitsSalieri.

QUEENOFTHENIGHT
(singingfuriously)
Ahellishwrathwithinmyheartis
seething!DeathanddestructionFlame
aroundmythrone!Ifnotbythee
Sarastro'slightbeextinguished.
Thenbethoumineowndaughternever
more!Rejectedbeforever!Sosundered
beforeverAllthebondsofkinand
blood!Hear!Hear!HearGodof
Vengeance!HearthyMother'svow!

Thunderandlightning.Shedisappearsamidsttremendous
applausefromtheaudience.

CUTTO:

EXT.OUTSIDETHETHEATRENIGHT1790'S

OntheposterforTheMagicFlute,thenameEmmanuel
Schikanedershouldappearvery,verylargeandthenameof
Mozartquitesmall:

I.&R.priv.WeidenTheatre
TheActorsoftheImperialandRoyal
PrivilegedTheatreoftheWeiden
Havethehonourtoperform
THEMAGICFLUTE
AGrandOperainTwoActs
By
EmmanuelSchikaneder
(TheCastList)

ThemusicisbyHerrWolfgangAmadeusMozart.HerrMozart
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outofrespectforagraciousandhonourablePublic,and
fromfriendshipfortheauthorofthispiece,willtoday
directtheorchestrainperson.

Thebookoftheopera,furnishedwithtwocopperplates,of
whichisengravedHerrSchikanederinthecostumehewears
fortheroleofPapageno,maybehadattheboxofficefor
30kr.

PricesofadmissionareasusualTobeginat7o'clock

INT.STAGE,AUDITORIUMANDWINGSOFSCHIKANEDER'STHEATRE
NIGHT1790'S

WeCUTTOthesceneimmediatelybeforePapageno'ssong,Ein
MadchenoderWeibchen.Papageno,playedbySchikaneder,
dressedinhiscostumeoffeathers,istryingtogetthrough
amysteriousdoor.Avoicecallsfromwithin.

VOICE
Goback!

Papagenorecoils.

PAPAGENO
MercifulGods!IfonlyIknewby
whichdoorIcamein.
(toaudience)
Whichwasit?Wasitthisone?Come
on,tellme!

VOICE
Goback!

Papagenorecoils.

PAPAGENO
Now,Ican'tgoforwardandIcan't
goback.Oh,thisisawful!

Heweepsextravagantly.

Inthepit,Mozartindicatestothefirstviolinisttotake
overasconductor.Heslipsfromhisplaceandgoesstealthily
backstage.Wefollowhim.OverthescenewehearPapageno
beingaddressedbytheFirstPriestinsterntones.

FIRSTPRIEST
(onstage)
Man,thouhastdeservedtowander
foreverinthedarkestchasmsofthe
earth.ThegentleGodshaveremitted
thypunishment,butyetthoushalt
neverfeeltheDivineContentofthe
consecratedones.

PAPAGENO
Ohwell,I'mnotaloneinthat.Just
givemeadecentglassofwine
that'sdivinecontentenoughforme.

Laughter.Anenormousgobletofwineappearsoutoftheearth.

WefollowMozartintothewings.Actorsandactressesstand
aroundinfantasticcostumes.Weseeaflyingchariotand
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partsofahugesnakelyingabout.Alsothescenerydoorof
atemplewiththeword'Wisdom'inscribedonthepediment.
Mozartwalkstowheretherestandsakeyboardglockenspiel
withseveralmanuals,andamusicianwaitingtoplayit.
SilentlyMozartindicatesthathewishestoplaythe
instrumenthimself.

OnstageSchikanederisbeingaddressedhaughtilybythe
FirstPriest.

FIRSTPRIEST
Man,hastthounootherdesireon
earth,butjusttoeatanddrink?

PAPAGENO
(Schikaneder)
Well!

Laughterfromtheaudience.

PAPAGENO
Well,actuallyIdohavearather
weirdfeelinginmyheart.Perhaps
it'sjustindigestion.Butyouknow,
IreallywouldlikeIreallydo
wantsomethingevennicerthan
foodanddrink.Nowwhatonearth
couldthatbe?

Hestaresattheaudienceandwinksatthem.Theylaugh.

NowPapageno'saria(EinMadchenoderWeibchen)begins.It
isinterpolated,ashepretendstoplayhismagicbells,
withtheglockenspielactuallybeingplayedoffstageby
Mozart.SchikanederlooksintothepitanddoesnotseeMozart
conducting.Helooksintothewingsandrealizesthesituation
withamusement.Hesingsjoyfullyandtheaudiencewatches
entranced.

ANDANTE
Asweetheartoraprettylittlewife
isPapageno'swish.Awilling,
billing,loveydoveyWouldbeMy
mosttastylittledish.Bemymost
tastylittledish!Bemymosttasty
littledish!

ALLEGRO
Thenthatwouldbeeatinganddrinking
I'dlivelikeaPrincewithout
thinking.Thewisdomofoldwouldbe
mineAwoman'smuchbetterthan
wine!Thenthatwouldbeeatingand
drinking!Thewisdomofoldwouldbe
mineAwoman'smuchbetterthan
wine.She'smuchbetterthanwine!
She'smuchbetterthanwine!

ANDANTE
(encore,lightly,as
before)
Asweetheartoraprettylittlewife
isPapageno'swish.Awilling,
billing,loveydoveyWouldbeMy
mosttastylittledish.
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ALLEGRO
IneedtonetonebirdieonlyAndI
willstopfeelingsolonely.Butif
shewon'tflytomyaid,Thenintoa
ghostImustfade.Ineedtonetone
birdieonlyButifshewon'tflyto
myaid,ThenintoaghostImust
fade.ToaghostImustfade!Toa
ghostImustfade!

ANDANTE
(encore)
Asweetheartoraprettylittlewife
isPapageno'swish.Awilling,
billing,loveydoveyWouldbeMy
mosttastylittledish.

ALLEGRO
Atpresentthegirlsonlypeckme.
Theircrueltysurelywillwreckme.
Butonelittlebeakinmyown,And
I'lluptoheavenbeflown!Atpresent
thegirlsonlypeckme.Butonelittle
beakinmyown,AndI'lluptoheaven
beflown.Uptoheavenbeflown!Up
toheavenbeflown!

AtcertainmomentsweseethestagefromSalieri'spointof
view:Schikanedersinging,thenpretendingtoplay;andthen
weseeMozartplayingtheglockenspielwithgreatflourishes
inthewings.Then,suddenly,theactormimesplaying,and
nosoundcomes.Hemimesagain,butstillnothingcomes.He
looksoffstageinanxiety;thereisevidentlysomecommotion.
Peoplearelookingdownonthefloor.Thesongcomestoa
nearhalt.Schikanederstares.Thenthecomediansignalsto
thedeputyconductortopickupthesongandfinishit.At
thismomentSalierigetsupandhastilyleaveshisbox.

CUTTO:

INT.WINGSOFSCHIKANEDER'STHEATRENIGHT1790'S

WeseetheactressplayingPapagena,wearinganoldtattered
cloakandabouttotiealittlepaintedclothrepresentinga
hideousoldwomanoverherface.Sheislookingworriedly
downatMozart,whoislyingunconsciousonthefloor.

Afewpeoplearoundhimaretryingtorevivehim.Onehas
putawethandkerchiefaroundhistemples.Anotherisholding
asmallbottleofsmellingsalts.Therearevoicessaying,
'Doctor!Takehimtoadressingroom.Someonecallacarriage.
Takehimhome.'Etc.Papagenaisurgedtogoonstagebya
distractedstagemanager.Suddenlywehearthevoiceof
Salieri.

SALIERI
I'lltakecareofhim.

Hestepsforward.

SALIERI
Ihaveacarriage.Excuseme.

Theactorsstepbackrespectfully.Hestoopsandpicksup
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thefrailcomposerinhisarms.Mozartisquitelimpand
Salierihastoflinghisarmsaroundhisownneck.Allthis
iswatchednervouslybySchikanederonstagewhilstperforming
hisscenewithPapagenaasanuglyoldwoman.

UGLYOLDWOMAN
HereIam,myangel.

PAPAGENO
(appalled)
What?Whothedevilareyou?

UGLYOLDWOMAN
I'vetakenpityonyou,myangel.I
heardyourwish.

PAPAGENO
Oh.Well,thankyou!Howwonderful.
Somepeoplegetalltheluck.

Audiencelaughter.Theactressraisesthelittlepainted
clothwiththeuglyoldfaceonittoshowherownpretty
youngonetotheaudience.Morelaughter.

UGLYOLDWOMAN
Nowyou'vegottopromiseme
faithfullyyou'llremaintruetome
forever.Thenyou'llseehowtenderly
yourlittlebirdiewillloveyou.

PAPAGENO
(nervous)
Ican'twait.

UGLYOLDWOMAN
Well,promisethen.

PAPAGENO
Whatdoyoumeannow?

UGLYOLDWOMAN
Ofcoursenow.Rightaway,beforeI
getanyolder.

Laughter.

PAPAGENO
Well,Idon'tknow!Imeanyou'rea
delicious,delightful,delectable
littlebird,butdon'tyouthinkyou
mightbejustalittletough?

UGLYOLDWOMAN
(amorously)
Oh,I'mtenderenoughforyou,my
boy.I'mtenderenoughforyou.

Laughter.

EXT.SCHIKANEDER'STHEATRENIGHT1790'S

Awaitingsedanchair.Mozarthasrecoveredconsciousness,
butlooksexceedinglyill.Salierihassethimdowninthe
winter'snight.Snowisfalling.

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MOZART
Whathappened?Isitover?

SALIERI
I'mtakingyouhome.You'renotwell.

MOZART
No,no.Ihavetogetback.Ihave

Hestartstocollapseagain.Salierihelpshimintothesedan.
Thedoorisshut.ThechairsetsoffandSalieristrides
besideit,throughthemeanstreet.Alanternwithacandle
swingsfromthechair.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1790'S

Thedooropens.Salierienterscarryingthelanternfromthe
sedanchair.HeisfollowedbyMozart,carriedinthearms
ofoneoftheporters.Theroomisnowreallyincomplete
disarray.Thetableispiledhighwithmusic:thepagesof
theRequiemlieamongstmanyemptywinebottles.Theporter
carriesMozartinto

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

Thisroomismiserablyneglected.Thebedisunmade,clothes
lieaboutonthefloor.Asockhasbeenstuckintothebroken
paneofonewindow.

TheporterlaysMozartdownonthebedasSalierilights
candlesfromthelanterntorevealplatesofhalfeatenfood
andothersignsleftbyamanwhosewifehasdeparted.Itis
obviouslyverycold.Anotherverysmallbednearbybelongs
tothechild,Karl.

SALIERI
(handingtheporter
thelantern)
Thankyou.Go.

Theporterleavestheroom.Mozartstirs.

MOZART
(vaguelysinging)
Papa!Papa!

HeopenshiseyesandseesSalieristaringdownathim.He
smiles.

SALIERI
Comenow.

Hehelpshimtositupandtakesoffhiscoatandhisshoes
andputsacoverletaroundhim.

SALIERI
Whereisyourwife?

MOZART
Nothere!She'snotwell,either.
ShewenttotheSpa.

SALIERI
Youmeanshe'snotcomingback?

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MOZART
You'resogoodtome.Truly.Thank
you.

SALIERI
No,please.

MOZART
Imeantocometomyopera.Youare
theonlycolleaguewhodid.

Hestrugglestoloosenhiscravat.Salieridoesitforhim.

SALIERI
Iwouldnevermissanythingthatyou
hadwritten.Youmustknowthat.

MOZART
Thisisonlyavaudeville.

SALIERI
Ohno.Itisasublimepiece.The
grandestoperone.Itellyou,you
arethegreatestcomposerknownto
me.

MOZART
Doyoumeanthat?

SALIERI
Ido.

MOZART
Ihavebadfancies.Idon'tsleep
wellanymore.ThenIdrinktoomuch,
andthinkstupidthings.

SALIERI
Areyouill?

MOZART
ThedoctorthinksIam.But

SALIERI
What?

MOZART
I'mtooyoungtobesosick.

Thereisaviolentknockingatthefrontdoor.Mozartstarts
andlooksaroundwildly.

SALIERI
ShallIanswerit?

MOZART
No!No,it'shim!

SALIERI
Who?

MOZART
Theman.He'shere.

SALIERI
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Whatman?

Theknockingincreasesinloudness,terrifyingMozart.

MOZART
Tellhimtogoaway.TellhimI'm
stillworkingonit.Don'tlethim
in!

Salierimovestothedoor.

MOZART
Wait!Askhimifhe'dgivemesome
moneynow.Tellhimifhewould,
thatwouldhelpmefinishit.

SALIERI
Finishwhat?

MOZART
Heknows.Heknows!

Salierileavestheroom.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMNIGHT1790'S

Salierigoestothefrontdoorandopensittoreveal
Schikaneder,whohasobviouslycomestraightfromthetheatre.
Hestillwearshisbirdmakeupandunderhisstreetcloak,
hisfeatheredcostumeisclearlyseen.Hehaswithhimthe
threeactresses,alsolookinganxiousandalsoinmakeupas
thethreeattendantsinTheMagicFlute.

SCHIKANEDER
HerrSalieri.

SALIERI
Yes,Iamlookingafterhim.

SCHIKANEDER
Canwecomein?

SALIERI
Well,he'ssleepingnow.Betternot.

SCHIKANEDER
Buthe'sallright?

SALIERI
Oh,yes.He'sjustexhausted.He
becamedizzy,that'sall.Weshould
lethimrest.

SCHIKANEDER
Well,tellhimwewerehere,won't
you?

SALIERI
Ofcourse.

SCHIKANEDER
Andsayeverythingwentwonderfully.
Atriumphdeluxesaythat!Tell
himtheaudienceshoutedhisnamea
hundredtimes.
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SALIERI
Bene.

SCHIKANEDER
I'llcalltomorrow.

SALIERI
Yes.
(totheactresses)
Andcongratulationstoallofyou.
Itwassuperb.

ACTRESSES
Thankyou!Thankyou,Excellency!

Schikanederproducesabagofmoney.

SCHIKANEDER
Oh,bytheway,givehimthis.This
ishisshare.Thatshouldcheerhim
up,eh?

SALIERI
Yes,indeed.Goodnighttoyouall
now.Itwasperfectiontruly!

ACTRESSES
(delighted)
Goodnight,YourExcellency.
Goodnight!

Theybobandcurtsey.SchikanederstaresatSalieri,uneasily,
vaguelysuspicious.Salierismilesbackathimandshutsthe
door.Hestaysforamoment,thinking.Hecontemplatesthe
money.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

Mozartissittingupinbed,staringatthedoor.Itopens.
Salierireturns.Heholdsinhishandthebagofmoney.

MOZART
Whathappened?

Salieripoursthecoinsoutofthebagontothecoverlet.

SALIERI
Hesaidtogiveyouthis.Andifyou
finishtheworkbytomorrownight,
hewillpayyouanotherhundred
ducats.

Mozartlooksatthecoinsastonished.

MOZART
Another?Butthat'stoosoon!Tomorrow
night?It'simpossible!Didhesaya
hundred?

SALIERI
Yes.CanIcouldIhelpyou,in
anyway?

MOZART
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Wouldyou?Actually,youcould.

SALIERI
Mydearfriend,itwouldbemy
greatestpleasure.

MOZART
Butyou'dhavetoswearnottotell
asoul.I'mnotallowed.

SALIERI
Ofcourse.

MOZART
Youknow,it'sallhereinmyhead.
It'sjustreadytobesetdown.But
whenI'mdizzylikethismyeyes
won'tfocus.Ican'twrite.

SALIERI
Then,letustrytogether.I'dregard
itassuchanhonour.Tellme,what
isthiswork?

MOZART
AMass.AMassfortheDead.

CUTTO:

INT.ASMALLDANCEHALLBADENNIGHT1790'S

Trivialdancemusicisplaying.Constanzeisdoingawaltz
withayoungOFFICERinmilitaryuniform.Atthemomentwe
seeher,shestopsabruptly,asifinpanic.

OFFICER
Whatisit?

CONSTANZE
Iwanttogo!

OFFICER
Where?

CONSTANZE
IwanttogobacktoVienna.

OFFICER
Now?

CONSTANZE
Yes!

OFFICER
Why?

CONSTANZE
Ifeelwrong.Ifeelwrongbeing
here.

OFFICER
(layingahandonher
arm)
Whatareyoutalkingabout?

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CUTTO:

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

Mozartissittingupinbed,proppedagainstpillows.The
coinslieonthecoverlet;manycandlesburninthenecksof
bottles.Salieri,withoutcoatorwig,isseatedatan
improvisedworktable.Onitareblanksheetsofmusicpaper,
quills,andink.AlsothescoreoftheRequiemMassasso
farcomposed.Mozartisbrighteyedwithakindoffever.
Salieriisalsopossessedwithanobviouslyfeverishdesire
toputdownthenotesasquicklyasMozartcandictatethem.

MOZART
WheredidIstop?

SALIERI
(consultingthe
manuscript)
TheendoftheRecordareStatuens
inpartedextra.

MOZART
SonowtheConfutatis.Confutatis
Maledictis.Whenthewickedare
confounded.Flammisacribusaddictis.
Howwouldyoutranslatethat?

SALIERI
Consignedtoflamesofwoe.

MOZART
Doyoubelieveinit?

SALIERI
What?

MOZART
Afirewhichneverdies.Burningone
forever?

SALIERI
Oh,yes.

MOZART
Strange!

SALIERI
Come.Let'sbegin.

Hetakeshispen.

SALIERI
ConfutatisMaledictis.

MOZART
WeendedinFMajor?

SALIERI
Yes.

MOZART
SonowAminor.Suddenly.

Salieriwritesthekeysignature.
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MOZART
TheFire.

SALIERI
Whattime?

MOZART
Commontime.

Salieriwritesthis,andcontinuesnowtowriteasswiftly
andurgentlyashecan,atMozart'sdictation.Heisobviously
highlyexpertatdoingthisandhardlyhesitates.Hisspeed,
however,canneverbetoofastforMozart'simpatientmind.

MOZART
Startwiththevoices.Bassesfirst.
Secondbeatofthefirstmeasure
A.
(singingthenote)
Confutatis.
(speaking)
Secondmeasure,secondbeat.
(singing)
Maledictis.
(speaking)
Gsharp,ofcourse.

SALIERI
Yes.

MOZART
Thirdmeasure,secondbeatstarting
onE.
(singing)
Flammisacribusaddictis.
(speaking)
Andfourthmeasure,fourthbeatD.
(singing)
Maledictis,flammisacribusad
dictis.
(speaking)
Doyouhavethat?

SALIERI
Ithinkso.

MOZART
Singitback.

Salierisingsbackthefirstsixmeasuresofthebassline.
Afterthefirsttwomeasuresachorusofbassesfadesinon
thesoundtrackandengulfshisvoice.Theystop.

MOZART
Good.Nowthetenors.Fourthbeatof
thefirstmeasureC.
(singing)
Confutatis.
(speaking)
Secondmeasure,fourthbeatonD.
(singing)
Maledictis.
(speaking)
Allright?
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SALIERI
Yes.

MOZART
Fourthmeasure,secondbeatF.
(singing)
Flammisacribusaddictis,flam
misacribusaddictis.

Hisvoiceislostonthelastwords,astenorsengulfitand
takeoverthesoundtrack,singingtheirwholelinefromthe
beginning,righttotheendofthesixthmeasurewherethe
bassesstopped,buthegoesonmouthingthesoundswiththem.
Salieriwritesfeverishly.Weseehispenjottingdownthe
notesasquicklyaspossible:theinkflicksontothepage.
Themusicstopsagain.

MOZART
Nowtheorchestra.Secondbassoon
andbasstrombonewiththebasses.
Identicalnotesandrhythm.
(Hehurriedlyhums
theopeningnotesof
thebassvocalline)
Thefirstbassoonandtenortrombone

SALIERI
(labouringtokeepup)
Please!Justonemoment.

Mozartglaresathim,irritated.Hishandsmoveimpatiently.
Salieriscribblesfrantically.

MOZART
Itcouldn'tbesimpler.

SALIERI
(finishing)
Firstbassoonandtenortrombone
what?

MOZART
Withthetenors.

SALIERI
Alsoidentical?

MOZART
Exactly.Theinstrumentstogowith
thevoices.Trumpetsandtimpani,
tonicanddominant.

Heagainhumsthebassvocallinefromthebeginning,
conducting.Onthesoundtrack,wehearthesecondbassoon
andbasstromboneplayitwithhimandthefirstbassoonand
tenortrombonecomeinontop,playingthetenorvocalline.
Wealsohearthetrumpetsandtimpani.Thesoundisbareand
grim.Itstopsattheendofthesixthmeasure.Salieristops
writing.

SALIERI
Andthat'sall?

MOZART
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Ohno.NowfortheFire.
(hesmiles)
Stringsinunisonostinatoonall
likethis.

Hesingstheurgentfirstmeasureoftheostinato.

MOZART
(speaking)
SecondmeasureonB.

Hesingsthesecondmeasureoftheostinato.

MOZART
(speaking)
Doyouhaveme?

SALIERI
Ithinkso.

MOZART
Showme.

Salierisingsthefirsttwomeasuresofthestringostinato.

MOZART
(excitedly)
Good,goodyes!Putitdown.And
thenextmeasuresexactlythesame,
risingandrisingCtoDtoE,up
tothedominantchord.Doyousee?

AsSalieriwrites,Mozartsingstheostinatofromthe
beginning,buttheunaccompaniedstringsoverwhelmhisvoice
onthesoundtrack,playingthefirstsixbarsoftheir
agitatedaccompaniment.Theystop.

SALIERI
That'swonderful!

MOZART
Yes,yesgoon.TheVocaMe.
Suddenlysottovoce.Writethatdown:
sottovoce,pianissimo.Vocamecum
benedictis.Callmeamongtheblessed.

Heisnowsittingboltupright,hushedandinspired.

MOZART
CMajor.Sopranosandaltosinthirds.
AltosonC.Sopranosabove.
(singingthealto
part)
Voca,vocame,vocamecumbene
dictis.

SALIERI
SopranosuptoFonthesecond'Voca'?

MOZART
Yes,andon'dictis'.

SALIERI
Yes!

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Hewritesfeverishly.

MOZART
Andunderneath,justviolins
arpeggio.

HesingstheviolinfigureundertheVocaMe(Bars7,8,9).

MOZART
(speaking)
Thedescendingscaleineighthnotes,
andthenbacksuddenlytothefire
again.

Hesingstheostinatophrasetwice.

MOZART
(speaking)
Andthat'sit.Doyouhaveit?

SALIERI
Yougofast!

MOZART
(urgently)
Doyouhaveit?

SALIERI
Yes.

MOZART
Thenletmehearit.Allofit.The
wholethingfromthebeginning
now!

TheentireConfutatisburstsovertheroom,asMozartsnatches
themanuscriptpagesfromSalieriandreadsfromit,singing.
Salierisitslookingoninwonderingastonishment.Themusic
continuesrightthroughthefollowingscenes,totheendof
themovement.

EXT.ACOUNTRYROADWINTERNIGHT1790'S

Acarriageisdrivingfastthroughthenight.Snowlieson
thecountryside.

INT.THECARRIAGENIGHT1790'S

Thecarriageisfilledwithpassengers.AmongthemConstanze
andKarl,heryoungson.Theyaresleeplessandswaytothe
motionofthevehicle.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

Mozartlyinginbedexhausted,butstilldictatingurgently.
WedonothearwhatheissayingtoSalieri,whostillsits
writingassiduously.Mozartislookingverysick:sweatis
pouringfromhisforehead.

EXT.ACOUNTRYROADWINTERNIGHT1790'S

Thecarriage,movingthroughthenight,tothesoundofthe
music.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S
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Mozartstilldictating;Salieristillwritingwithoutstop.

EXT.VIENNASTREETDAWN1790'S.

Thecarriagehasarrived.Constanzeandhersonalightwith
otherpassengers.Postillionsattendtothehorses.Shetakes
herboy'shand.Itisacoldwintrydawn.

Themusicstutterstoaclose.EndoftheConfutatis.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMNIGHT1790'S

MOZART
Doyouwanttorestabit?

SALIERI
Ohno.I'mnottiredatall.

MOZART
We'llstopforjustamoment.Then
we'lldotheLacrimosa.

SALIERI
Icankeepgoing,Iassureyou.
Shallwetry?

MOZART
WouldyoustaywithmewhileIsleep
alittle?

SALIERI
I'mnotleavingyou.

MOZART
Iamsoashamed.

SALIERI
Whatfor?

MOZART
Iwasfoolish.Ithoughtyoudidnot
careformyworkorme.Forgive
me.Forgiveme!

Mozartcloseshiseyes.Salieristaresathim.

EXT.VIENNASTREETWINTRYDAWN1790'S

ConstanzeandKarlapproachalongthecobbledstreet,hand
inhandtowardtheirhouse.Snowliesinthestreet.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMDAWN1790'S

Mozartliesasleepinthebed,holdingthelastpagesofthe
manuscript.SalieriliesacrossfromhimonKarl'ssmallbed
inhisshirtsleevesandwaistcoat.Thechild'sbedis
obviouslytoosmallforhimandheisforcedintoacramped
position.

EXT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTHOUSEDAWN1790'S

ConstanzeandKarlarriveatthedoor.Theyenter.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTLIVINGROOMDAWN1790'S
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Itisasdisorderedasbefore,savethatthetable,previously
litteredwithpages,isnowcompletelybare.Constanzelooks
atitwithsurpriseandentersthebedroom.

INT.MOZART'SAPARTMENTBEDROOMDAWN1790'S

Mozartisasleepinthebed.Salieriisdozingonthenearby
child'sbed.Theroomisfullofthetrailingsmokefrom
gutteringandgutteredcandles.StartledbyConstanze's
entranceandheryoungson,Salieriscramblesup.Ashedoes
so,heattemptstobuttonhiswaistcoat,butdoesitineptly,
sothatthevestmentbecomesbunchedup,makinghimlook
absurd.

CONSTANZE
Whatareyoudoinghere?

SALIERI
Yourhusbandisill,ma'am.Hetook
sick.Ibroughthimhome.

CONSTANZE
Whyyou?

SALIERI
Iwasathand.

CONSTANZE
Well,thankyouverymuch.Youcan
gonow.

SALIERI
Heneedsme,ma'am.

CONSTANZE
No,hedoesn't.AndIdon'twantyou
here.Justgo,please.

SALIERI
Heaskedmetostay.

CONSTANZE
AndI'maskingyou

Shenoticesamovementfromthebed.Mozartwakes.Hesees
Constanzeandsmileswithrealjoy.ForgettingSalieri,she
goestoherhusband.

CONSTANZE
Wolfi,I'mback.I'mstillveryangry
withyou,butImissedyousomuch.

Shethrowsherselfonthebed.

CONSTANZE
I'llneverleaveyouagain.Ifyou'll
justtryalittlehardertobenice
tome.AndI'lltrytodobetter,
too.Wemust.Wemust!Thiswasjust
sillyandstupid.

Shehugsherhusbanddesperately.Hestaresatherwith
obviousrelief,notabletospeak.Suddenlysheseesthe
manuscriptinhishand.
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CONSTANZE
Whatisthis?

Shelooksatitandrecognizesit.

CONSTANZE
Ohno,notthis.Notthis,Wolfi!
You'renottoworkonthiseveragain!
I'vedecided.

Shetakesitfromhisweakhand.AtthesamemomentSalieri
reachesouthishandtotakeitandaddittothepileon
thetable.

Shestaresathim,tryingtounderstandsuspiciousand
frightenedandatthesametimeunabletomakeasound.Mozart
makesaconvulsivegesturetoreclaimthepages.Thecoins
broughtbySalierifallonthefloor.Karlrunsafterthem,
laughing.

CONSTANZE
(toSalieri)
Thisisnothishandwriting.

SALIERI
No.Iwasassistinghim.Heasked
me.

CONSTANZE
He'snotgoingtoworkonthis
anymore.Itismakinghimill.Please.

SheextendsherhandfortheRequiem,asshestandsup.
Salierihesitates.

CONSTANZE
(hard)
Please.

Withextremereluctanceitcostshimagonytodoit
SalierihandsoverthescoreoftheRequiemtoher.

CONSTANZE
Thankyou.

Shemarcheswiththemanuscriptovertoalargechestinthe
room,opensit,throwsthemanuscriptinside,shutsthelid,
locksitandpocketsthekey.InvoluntarilySalieristretches
outhisarmsforthelostmanuscript.

SALIERI
Butbutbut

Sheturnsandfaceshim.

CONSTANZE
Goodnight.

Hestaresather,stunned.

CONSTANZE
Iregretwehavenoservantstoshow
youout,HerrSalieri.Respectmy
wishandgo.
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SALIERI
Madame,Iwillrespecthis.Heasked
metostayhere.

Theylookateachotherinmutualhatred.Sheturnstothe
bed.Mozartappearstohavegonetosleepagain.

CONSTANZE
Wolfi?
(louder)
Wolfi?

Shemovestothebed.Thechildisplayingwiththecoinson
thefloor.FaintlywehearthestartoftheLacrimosafrom
theRequiem.Salieriwatchesasshetouchesherhusband's
hand.Asthemusicgrows,werealizethatMozartisdead.

CU,Constanzestaringwideeyedindawningapprehension.

CU,Salierialsocomprehendinghathehasbeencheated.

Themusicrises.

CU,Thechildonthefloor,playingwiththemoney.

CUTTO:

EXT.STEPHEN'SCATHEDRALVIENNAARAINYDAY1790'S

TheLacrimosacontinuesthroughallofthefollowing:asmall
groupofpeopleemergesfromthesidedoorintotheraw,wet
day,accompanyingacheapwoodencoffin.Thecoffinisborne
byagravediggerandSchikanederinmourningclothes.They
loaditontoacart,drawnbyapoorblackhorse.Allthe
restareinblack,also:Salieri,VonSwieten,Constanzeand
herson,Karl,MadameWeberandheryoungestdaughterSophie,
andevenLorl,themaid.Itisdrizzling.Thecartsetsoff.
Thegroupfollows.

CUTTO:

EXT.OUTSIDETHECITYWALLSOFVIENNARAINYDAY1790'S

Thegrouphasalreadypassedbeyondthecitylimitsfollowing
themiserablecart.TheLacrimosaaccompaniesthemwithits
measuredthread.

Thedrizzleofrainhasnowbecomeheavy.Onebyone,the
groupbreaksupandsheltersunderthetrees.Thecartmoves
ontowardthecemetery,alone,followedbynobody,growing
moreandmoredistant.Theywatchitgo.

SalieriandVonSwietenshakehandsmournfully,thewater
soakingtheirblacktallhats.Schikanederisintears.
Constanzeisnearcollapse.Salierimovestoassisther,but
sheturnsawayfromhim,seekingthearmofCavalieri.Madame
WebertakesKarl'shand.

ThemusicbuildstoitsclimaxonDonaEisPacem!WeCUT
backto:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMMORNING1823

Morninglightfillstheroom.OldSalierisitsweeping
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convulsively,asthemusicstops.Tearsstreamdownhisface.
Voglerwatcheshim,amazed.

VOGLER
Why?Why?Why?Whyaddtoyourmisery
byconfessingtomurder?Youdidn't
killhim.

OLDSALIERI
Idid.

VOGLER
No,youdidn't!

OLDSALIERI
Ipoisonedhislife.

VOGLER
Butnothisbody.

OLDSALIERI
Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?

VOGLER
Myson,whyshouldyouwantallVienna
tobelieveyouamurderer?Isthat
yourpenance?Isit?

OLDSALIERI
No,Father.Fromnowonnoonewill
beabletospeakofMozartwithout
thinkingofme.Whenevertheysay
Mozartwithlove,they'llhaveto
saySalieriwithloathing.Andthat's
myimmortalityatlast!Ournames
willbetiedtogetherforeternity
hisinfameandmineininfamy.At
leastit'sbetterthanthetotal
oblivionhe'dplannedforme,your
mercifulGod!

VOGLER
Ohmyson,mypoorson!

OLDSALIERI
Don'tpityme.Pityyourself.You
serveawickedGod.HekilledMozart,
notI.Tookhim,snatchedhimaway,
withoutpity.HedestroyedHisbeloved
ratherthanletamediocritylikeme
getthesmallestshareinhisglory.
Hedoesn'tcare.Understandthat.
GodcaresnothingforthemanHe
deniesandnothingeitherforthe
manHeuses.HebrokeMozartinhalf
whenHe'dfinishedwithhim,and
threwhimaway.Likeanold,worn
outflute.

EXT.CEMETERYOFST.MARXLATEAFTERNOON1790'S

Therainhaseasedoff.ALOCALPRIESTwithtwoboyacolytes
isstandingbesideanopencommunalgrave.Mozart'sbodyis
liftedoutofthecheappineboxinasack.

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Weseethatthegravecontainstwentyothersuchsacks.The
gravediggerthrowstheonecontainingMozartamongstthe
others.Anassistantpoursquicklimeoverthewholepileof
them.Theacolytesswingtheircensers.

LOCALPRIEST
TheLordgiveth.TheLordtaketh
away.Blessedbethenameofthe
Lord.

CUTBACKTO:

INT.OLDSALIERI'SHOSPITALROOMMORNING1823

OLDSALIERI
WhydidHedoit?Whydidn'tHekill
me?Ihadnovalue.Whatwasthe
use,keepingmealiveforthirtytwo
yearsoftorture?Thirtytwoyears
ofhonoursandawards.

HetearsofftheCivilianMedalandChainwithwhichthe
Emperorinvestedhimandhasbeenwearingthewholetimeand
throwsitacrosstheroom.

OLDSALIERI
Beingbowedtoandsaluted,called
'distinguisheddistinguished
Salieri'bymenincapableof
distinguishing!Thirtytwoyearsof
meaninglessfametoendupalonein
myroom,watchingmyselfbecome
extinct.Mymusicgrowingfainter,
allthetimefainter,untilnoone
playsitatall.Andhisgrowing
louder,fillingtheworldwithwonder.
Andeveryonewholovesmysacredart
crying,Mozart!Blessyou,Mozart.

Thedooropens.Anattendantcomesin,cheerfulandhearty.

ATTENDANT
Goodmorning,Professor!Timefor
thewatercloset.Andthenwe'vegot
yourfavouritebreakfastforyou
sugarrolls.
(toVogler)
Helovesthose.Freshsugarrolls.

Salieriignoreshimandstaresonlyatthepriest,whostares
back.

OLDSALIERI
Goodbye,Father.I'llspeakforyou.
Ispeakforallmediocritiesinthe
world.Iamtheirchampion.Iam
theirpatronsaint.Ontheirbehalf
IdenyHim,yourGodofnomercy.
YourGodwhotorturesmenwith
longingstheycanneverfulfill.He
mayforgiveme:Ishallneverforgive
Him.

Hesignstotheattendant,whowheelshiminhischairout
oftheroom.Theprieststaresafterhim.
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INT.CORRIDOROFTHEHOSPITALMORNING

Thecorridorisfilledwithpatientsinwhitelinensmocks,
alltakingtheirmorningexercisewalkinthecareofnurses
andnuns.Theyformalong,wretched,strangeprocession
someofthemareclearlyverydisturbed.AsOldSalieriis
pushedthroughtheminhiswheelchair,heliftshishandsto
theminbenediction.

OLDSALIERI
Mediocritieseverywhere,nowandto
come:Iabsolveyouall!Amen!Amen!
Amen!

Finally,heturnsfullfacetothecameraandblessesusthe
audience,makingtheSignoftheCross.Underneathwehear,
stealinginandgrowinglouder,thetremendousMasonicFuneral
MusicofMozart.

Onthelastfourchords,we

FADEOUT:

THEEND

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