Rating: 
Summary: The Play's The Thing
Review: I first saw this play during its original run on Broadway. I went to see it with my college drama class. I had no idea what to expect. The amazing Ian McKellen played Salieri, and from the moment the play began until the final curtain, I was mesmerized. I skipped the other play we had tickets for and went back to see "Amadeus" again in "standing room". The play is wonderful, yes. But I truly think its ultimate success depends upon the actors playing the roles of Salieri and Mozart. I think the original Broadway cast was a once-in-a-lifetime group, but I'm looking forward to the upcoming Broadway revival. Read the play, and then go see it come to life!
Rating:
Summary: tremendous
Review: I saw the movie first, then the play, then i had to read the book. I am absolutely amazed. It's highly intelligent and clever... The play was just incredible, amazing, and marvelous...i'm in love with shaffer...he's simply tremendous.
Rating:
Summary: One thing to note about this printed edition of the play
Review: I'm surprised no one mentioned this, but at the back of the book, there is the score for the transformation of Salieri's welcome march to Mozart's "Non Piu Andrai". It's a delightful little supplement.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: In this lifetime, we may never know the true fate of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. By way of books, plays, and movies, people have speculated as to what caused the premature death of Mozart. Like most other publications on the subject, Peter Shaffer's "Amadeus" is based on facts with his insight and speculation. The play he created is well paced and entertaining.While the play is about the life of Mozart, the story's focus is on the storyteller, Antonio Salieri. We meet Salieri, the storyteller, near his death while strickened with guilt. Salieri is envious of the young prodigy Mozart and plots his demise. The continued acts of sabotage eventually lead to Mozart's death. The irony is that he is seen as crazy and people are not sure if his guilt is based on reality. Salieri's last link to fame as Mozart's assassin is denied. Of course, Mozart's music is timeless, while most people would be hard pressed to name a Salieri piece. The play is better than I expected. It differs from the movie "Amadeus" which I equally enjoyed. When I recently saw "Amadeus" acted in Chicago, it put the play in another light. Each media I have observed this story in gives me a new perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: In this lifetime, we may never know the true fate of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. By way of books, plays, and movies, people have speculated as to what caused the premature death of Mozart. Like most other publications on the subject, Peter Shaffer's "Amadeus" is based on facts with his insight and speculation. The play he created is well paced and entertaining. While the play is about the life of Mozart, the story's focus is on the storyteller, Antonio Salieri. We meet Salieri, the storyteller, near his death while strickened with guilt. Salieri is envious of the young prodigy Mozart and plots his demise. The continued acts of sabotage eventually lead to Mozart's death. The irony is that he is seen as crazy and people are not sure if his guilt is based on reality. Salieri's last link to fame as Mozart's assassin is denied. Of course, Mozart's music is timeless, while most people would be hard pressed to name a Salieri piece. The play is better than I expected. It differs from the movie "Amadeus" which I equally enjoyed. When I recently saw "Amadeus" acted in Chicago, it put the play in another light. Each media I have observed this story in gives me a new perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Amadeo!
Review: Peter Shaffer is the master of chilling books. The first book i read of his was Equus, the play about a crazy kid who blinds a few horses and why he did it. It was a psychological mystery that was so freaky it made u not want to put it down. Ever.
Now, I've read Amadeus. The freakish level in Amadeus is not on par with Equus, but, overall, Amadeus surpasses Equus in quality. The main character of Amadeus is Court Composer Antonio Salieri. He also happens to be the villain. Salieri, as a boy always would revel and run through the fields shouting praise to God. He asked God for the ability to become a composer and, through music, bring His voice to the world. He asked that he be famous for his music. He asked that he be one of the best. God granted his wish, but, soon sent a new rival: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; a man with musical talent surpassing all his elders, but maturity of that of a 7th grader. And Salieri cannot understand why God would abandon himself, and give his voice to such a fiend as Mozart. That's about all the info i'm going to give you about Amadeus, so in order to find out what else happens, you'll need to read it. Bottom Line: Spend the less than [amt]. Buy this play. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A play that is oh so much more
Review: Peter Shaffer is the master of chilling books. The first book i read of his was Equus, the play about a crazy kid who blinds a few horses and why he did it. It was a psychological mystery that was so freaky it made u not want to put it down. Ever.
Now, I've read Amadeus. The freakish level in Amadeus is not on par with Equus, but, overall, Amadeus surpasses Equus in quality. The main character of Amadeus is Court Composer Antonio Salieri. He also happens to be the villain. Salieri, as a boy always would revel and run through the fields shouting praise to God. He asked God for the ability to become a composer and, through music, bring His voice to the world. He asked that he be famous for his music. He asked that he be one of the best. God granted his wish, but, soon sent a new rival: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; a man with musical talent surpassing all his elders, but maturity of that of a 7th grader. And Salieri cannot understand why God would abandon himself, and give his voice to such a fiend as Mozart. That's about all the info i'm going to give you about Amadeus, so in order to find out what else happens, you'll need to read it. Bottom Line: Spend the less than [amt]. Buy this play. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Goodness is nothing in the furnace of art
Review: Shaffer illustrates an incredible conflict in Amadeus, alltogether permeated by the dark themes of jealousy, hatred, and death. Showing the apparent mutual exclusivity between intelligence and virtue, the true strength of the play lies inextricably in the character of Court Composer Salieri. It is a testement to the skill of Shaffer that I almost thought Salieri's motive as evil, but perhaps justified. In him I saw myself, striking out at God for his cruelty, for his preferential and exclusive love. Not only the writing but the stage directions are done incredibly well. Everything is as it should be, not a song at an inappropriate time, not a note misplaced. The character of Mozart is best embodied in the performance of Don Giovanni, where Shaffer describes him as "quailing" before the dark and demanding figure of his father. This is a masterpiece of pain and jealousy, timeless and impenetrable plagues of humanity.
Rating:
Summary: A captivating marriage of comedy and tragedy
Review: Shaffer's elaboration of the myth surrounding the life, loves and losses of the infamous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, takes modern drama to new, unchartered heights. His theme being the nature of genius, is explored and exhausted through an innovative blend of musical and visual manipulation, which effectively seduces the reader, leading us to believe that we are privy to the internal wars which rage through the protagonists mind. As for plot developement, Shaffers use of symbolism and verbal mastery, leaves us in no doubt of the desired effect his characters should create in his readership. Intelligently comic and at once tragic. Amadeus could not fail to impress.
Rating:
Summary: What a play!
Review: The book shows the relationship between Salieri, God, and Mozart, the talented musician. Even though the plot is mostely invented, it shows really nicely how cruel a vow with God can be if one is so grim to get his own success. It's interesting, how this play is connected with true facts, which you only understand knowing a bit of the real history of Mozart. We really liked the play, because it's thrilling and shows some important psychological aspects. Especially the relation between Mozart and his father is quite interesting. It's worth reading it, we really do recommend this great play. Lisa
|
