Amadeus Page #37

INT. OLD SALIERI'S HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT - 1823

OLD SALIERI:

(to Vogler)

Would he actually tell me my music

had moved him? Was I really going to

hear that from his own lips? I found

myself actually hurrying the tempo

of the finale.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

Salieri conducting the last scene from Axur: King of Ormus.

On stage we see a big scene of acclamation: the hero and

heroine of the opera accepting the crown amidst the rejoicing

of the people. The decor and costumes are mythological

Persian. The music is utterly conventional and totally

uninventive.

CU, Mozart watching this in his box, with Schikaneder and

the three actresses. He passes an open bottle of wine to

them. He is evidently a little drunk, but keeps a poker face.

The act comes to an end. Great applause in which Mozart joins

in, standing and shouting 'Bravo! Bravo!' Then he leaves the

box with Schikaneder and the girls.

INT. CORRIDOR OF THE OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

MOZART:

(to Schikaneder)

Well?

SCHIKANEDER:

(mock moved)

Sublime! Utterly sublime!

MOZART:

That kind of music should be

punishable by death.

Schikaneder laughs.

CUT TO:

INT. STAGE OF THE OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

A crowd of people rings Salieri at a respectful distance.

The Emperor is holding out the Civilian Medal and Chain.

JOSEPH:

I believe that is the best opera yet

written, my friends. Salieri, you

are the brightest star in the musical

firmament. You do honour to Vienna

and to me.

Salieri bows his head. Joseph places the chain around his

neck. The crowd claps. Salieri makes to kiss his hand, but

Joseph restrains him, and passes on. Cavalieri, smiling

adoringly, gives him a deep curtsey, and he raises her up.

The crowd all flock to Salieri with cries and words of

approval. All want to shake his hand. They tug and pat him.

But he has eyes for only one man - he looks about him,

searching for him and then finds him. Mozart stands there.

Eagerly Salieri moves to him.

SALIERI:

Mozart. It was good of you to come.

MOZART:

How could I not?

SALIERI:

Did my work please you?

MOZART:

How could it not, Excellency?

SALIERI:

Yes?

MOZART:

I never knew that music like that

was possible.

SALIERI:

You flatter me.

MOZART:

Oh no! One hears such sounds and

what can one say, but - Salieri!

Salieri smiles.

CUT TO:

INT. MOZART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - 1780'S

Explosive laughter as Mozart and Schikaneder enter the

apartment, very pleased with themselves and accompanied by

the three actresses. The front door opens, very gingerly.

Mozart, still rather drunk, sticks his head into the room,

anxious not to make a noise. He sees the strangers and breaks

into a smile.

MOZART:

Oh. Everybody's here! We've got

guests. Good. I've brought some more.

He opens the door wide to admit Schikaneder and the girls.

MOZART:

We'll have a little party. Come in.

Come in. You know Herr Schikaneder?

(to a girl)

This is! a very nice girl.

CONSTANZE:

(standing up)

Wolfi.

MOZART:

Yes, my love?

CONSTANZE:

These gentlemen are from Salzburg.

MOZART:

Salzburg. We were just talking about

Salzburg.

(to the two men,

jubilantly)

If you've come from my friend the

Fartsbishop, you've arrived at just

the right moment. Because I've got

good news for him. I'm done with

Vienna. It's over, finished, done

with! Done with! Done with!

CONSTANZE:

Wolfi! Your father is dead.

MOZART:

What?

CONSTANZE:

Your father is dead.

The first loud chord of the Statue scene from Don Giovanni

sounds. Mozart stares.

INT. AN OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

The second chord sounds. On stage we see the huge figure of

the Commendatore in robes and helmet, extending his arms and

pointing in accusation.

INT. AN OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

The second chord sounds.

On stage we see a huge nailed fist crash through the wall of

a painted dining room set. The giant armoured statue of the

COMMENDATORE enters pointing his finger in accusation at Don

Giovanni who sits at the supper table, staring - his servant

Leporello quaking with fear under the table.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote