Cocktail Party Fact: The American version was much rewritten after the play was first done in England. Among other changes strengthening the character of Salieri was the pivotal scene in which Salieri convinces Mozart to betray the rituals of his fellow Freemasons in The Magic Flute.

Here’s The Plot: Salieri, the most successful composer in Vienna, is telling us the story of his life. The diligent workmanlike Salieri is disgusted when he meets the young dirty-talking childish Mozart — but is astounded by his music. Mozart’s music is everything his is not. Desperate to get at the secret of the genius’ gift, his apotheosis comes when he sees Mozart’s first drafts: they are note perfect with no tortured rewritings and corrections. In Salieri’s mind, God Himself is using Mozart as his vessel to pour out beautiful music. In order to avenge himself on a God who has not chosen to give him this divine gift of music, Salieri chooses to avenge himself on God by doing everything he can to destroy Mozart. But in his eyes, God has a just punishment: after Mozart” death, Salieri becomes famed and revered in his lifetime, but he knows it is for mediocre music. Ultimately, his one hope in being remembered is to kill Mozart and thus linking their names forever in history. His last act is to kill himself, having told everyone that it was he who killed Mozart, but no one believes him.

Memorable Moments: At the end of the play, when Salieri cuts his throat in front of us, and seemingly dies. A moment of high drama becomes comedy when he looks up and announces that he even failed at killing himself.

Vital Statistics: Penned by Peter Shaffer, this work premiered in London in 1979, and in Washington in 1980.

Why See It?: This tale of the chief rival of Mozart, the now forgotten Salieri, is a brilliant meditation on the difference between talent and genius, between what can be learned and mastered, and what is a gift from God. Mozart’s talent falls into the latter category. Fittingly, Amadeus is Latin for “Beloved of God.”