Amadeus Page #13

INT. OPERA HOUSE STAGE - VIENNA - NIGHT - 1780'S

The curtains are down, and an excited hubbub of singers in

costume surround Mozart and Cavalieri, all excited and

chattering. Suddenly a hush. The Emperor is seen approaching

from the wings, lit by flunkies holding candles. Von Strack,

Orsini-Rosenberg and Von Swieten, amongst others, follow

him. Also Salieri. The singers line up. Joseph stops at

Cavalieri who makes a deep curtsey.

JOSEPH:

Bravo, Madame. You are an ornament

to our stage.

CAVALIERI:

Majesty.

JOSEPH:

(to Salieri)

And to you, Court Composer. Your

pupil has done you great credit.

INT. BACKSTAGE CORRIDOR - VIENNA - NIGHT - 1780'S

MADAME WEBER:

Let us pass, please! Let us pass at

once! We're with the Emperor.

FLUNKY:

I am sorry, Madame. It is not

permitted.

MADAME WEBER:

Do you know who I am?

(pointing to Constanze)

This is my daughter. I am Frau Weber.

We are favoured guests!

FLUNKY:

I am sorry, Madame, but I have my

orders.

MADAME WEBER:

Call Herr Mozart! You call Herr Mozart

immediately! This is insupportable!

CONSTANZE:

Mother, please!

MADAME WEBER:

Go ahead, Constanze. Just ignore

this fellow.

(pushing her)

Go ahead, dear!

FLUNKY:

(barring the way)

I am sorry, Madame, but no! I cannot

let anyone pass.

MADAME WEBER:

Young man, I am no stranger to

theatres. I'm no stranger to

insolence!

CUT BACK TO:

INT. OPERA HOUSE STAGE - VIENNA - NIGHT - 1780'S

All are applauding Cavalieri. The Emperor turns to Mozart.

JOSEPH:

Well, Herr Mozart! A good effort.

Decidedly that. An excellent effort!

You've shown us something quite new

today.

Mozart bows frantically: he is over-excited.

MOZART:

It is new, it is, isn't it, Sire?

JOSEPH:

Yes, indeed.

MOZART:

And German?

JOSEPH:

Oh, yes. Absolutely. German.

Unquestionably!

MOZART:

So then you like it? You really like

it, Your Majesty?

JOSEPH:

Of course I do. It's very good. Of

course now and then - just now and

then - it gets a touch elaborate.

MOZART:

What do you mean, Sire?

JOSEPH:

Well, I mean occasionally it seems

to have, how shall one say?

(he stops in

difficulty; to Orsini-

Rosenberg)

How shall one say, Director?

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Too many notes, Your Majesty?

JOSEPH:

Exactly. Very well put. Too many

notes.

MOZART:

I don't understand. There are just

as many notes, Majesty, as are

required. Neither more nor less.

JOSEPH:

My dear fellow, there are in fact

only so many notes the ear can hear

in the course of an evening. I think

I'm right in saying that, aren't I,

Court Composer?

SALIERI:

Yes! yes! er, on the whole, yes,

Majesty.

MOZART:

(to Salieri)

But this is absurd!

JOSEPH:

My dear, young man, don't take it

too hard. Your work is ingenious.

It's quality work. And there are

simply too many notes, that's all.

Cut a few and it will be perfect.

MOZART:

Which few did you have in mind,

Majesty?

Pause. General embarrassment.

JOSEPH:

Well. There it is.

Into this uncomfortable scene bursts a sudden eruption of

noise and Madame Weber floods onto the stage, followed by

her daughters. All turn to look at this amazing spectacle.

MADAME WEBER:

Wolfi! Wolfi, my dear!

She moves toward Mozart with arms outstretched in an absurd

theatrical gesture, then sees the Emperor. She stares at

him, mesmerized, her mouth open, unable even to curtsey.

MADAME WEBER:

Oh!

Mozart moves forward quickly.

MOZART:

Majesty, this is Madame Weber. She

is my landlady.

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