Amadeus Page #34

INT. SALIERI'S SALON - DAY - 1780'S

Orsini-Rosenberg and Bonno are sitting with Salieri.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Well, Mozart is already rehearsing.

SALIERI:

Incredible.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

The Emperor has given him permission.

BONNO:

Si, si! Veramente.

SALIERI:

Well, gentlemen, so be it. In that

case I think we should help Mozart

all we can and do our best to protect

him against the Emperor's anger.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

What anger?

SALIERI:

About the ballet.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Ballet? What ballet?

SALIERI:

Excuse me - didn't His Majesty

specifically forbid ballet in his

opera?

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Yes, absolutely. Is there a ballet

in Figaro?

SALIERI:

Yes, in the third act.

CUT TO:

INT. THE OPERA HOUSE - DAY - 1780'S

It is a full orchestral rehearsal. Mozart is conducting from

the harpsichord with his hands; he does not use a baton.

The singers are all in practice clothes, not costumes.

We are in the Act III and we hear the recitativo exchange

just before the march begins. Orsini-Rosenberg and Bonno sit

watching chairs.

Suddenly the march starts. Peasants and friends start to

dance in and at the same moment, Orsini-Rosenberg gets up

and comes down to Mozart. He is accompanied by an anxious

Bonno.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Mozart! Herr Mozart, may I have a

word with you please. Right away.

MOZART:

Certainly, Herr Director.

He signals to the cast to break off.

MOZART:

Five minutes, please!

The company disperses, curious. The musicians look at Orsini-

Rosenberg.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Did you not know that His Majesty

has expressly forbidden ballet in

his operas?

MOZART:

Yes, but this is not a ballet. This

is a dance at Figaro's wedding.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Exactly. A dance.

MOZART:

But surely the Emperor didn't mean

to prohibit dancing when it's part

of the story.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

It is dangerous for you to interpret

His Majesty's edicts. Give me your

score, please.

Mozart hands him the score from which he is conducting.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Thank you.

He rips out a page. Bonno watches in terror.

MOZART:

What are you doing?

He rips out three more.

MOZART:

What are you doing, Herr Director?

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Taking out what you should never

have put in.

He goes on tearing the pages determinedly.

CUT TO:

INT. SALIERI'S SALON - DAY - 1780'S

A servant opens the door to announce.

SERVANT:

Herr Mozart.

Mozart brushes past him straight towards Salieri, who rises

to greet him. The little man is near hysterics.

MOZART:

Please! Please. I've no one else to

turn to. Please!

He grabs Salieri.

SALIERI:

Wolfgang, what is it? Sta calmo, per

favore. What's the matter?

MOZART:

It's unbelievable! The Director has

actually ripped out a huge section

of my music. Pages of it.

SALIERI:

Really? Why?

MOZART:

I don't know. They say I've got to

re-write the opera, but it's perfect

as it is. I can't rewrite what's

perfect. Can't you talk to him?

SALIERI:

Why bother with Orsini-Rosenberg?

He's obviously no friend of yours.

MOZART:

Oh, I could kill him! I mean really

kill him. I actually threw the entire

opera on the fire, he made me so

angry!

SALIERI:

You burned the score?

MOZART:

Oh no! My wife took it out in time.

SALIERI:

How fortunate.

MOZART:

It's not fair that a man like that

has power over our work.

SALIERI:

But there are those who have power

over him. I think I'll take this up

with the Emperor.

MOZART:

Oh, Excellency, would you?

SALIERI:

With all my heart, Mozart.

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