Salieri in Amadeus

[abaris]

The movie just follows through on the very old rumors of Salieri being behind Mozart's death. His reputation had been damaged already by some of his contemporaries. Of course unfounded and not doing his own artistic skill any justice.

It's been quite some time since I last watched the movie, although I have the DVD, so I don't remember, if Salieri actually kills Mozart or if he just contributes to his demise. He's portraied as the one commissioning the requiem, which he didn't do, as we know today. It was some count, wanting it for his deceased wife and most of all wanted to sell it as his own work to his admirers. Which brings me to Mozart himself, who was a big earner but an even bigger spender. He had to virtually whore himself out to keep afloat. One of the first real pop stars, I would say, given his lifestyle of womanizing, drinking and gambling. Also according to his own letters, which point to a pretty vulgar down to earth person and not some august demi god as some as his present followers make him out to be.