Performance of the German department of the National Theatre "Radu Stanca" Sibiu
by Peter Schaffer
Stage direction: Gavriil Pinte
Set and costumes: Roxana Ionescu
Assistant director: Maria Tomoiagă
Short after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's unexpected death, rumours surfaced that he would have been poisoned. Truth or legend? Antonio Salieri, former composer of Joseph II's court, he stands accused after a few years of being guilty of Mozart's death. Could he be the criminal? Initially the most succesful composer at the Austrian emperor's court, Salieri losses his privilieged status the moment boy wonder Mozart shows up on the musical scene of the epoch.
Salieri revolts against God. He cannot nor does he wish to understand how this maladjusted youth, Mozart, could be the chosen genius, and him a mediocre composer with a bit more talent. Gnawed by envy, Salieri swears revenge. He wishes to destroy this Mozart, the favorite of an unfair God, and will do so by any means necessary.
The play written by Peter Shaffer follows in Mozart's footsteps, the one idolized throughout the world today, that had a quick ascent and a tragic fall. In 1984, director Milos Forman transposes it to film and is awarded an Oscar.
The directing of this play of intrigue belongs to Gavriil Pinte, well-known director to the audience of the German Section after succesfully directing the fairy tale "Youth Without Old Age and Life without Death". The simple, yet telling scenography is signed by Roxana Ionescu.