Amadeus | Act 1 Summary
Amadeus opens with "savage whispers" that fill the theater. The citizens of Vienna in 1823 hiss the name "Salieri" and "assassin." Antonio Salieri, an old man, appears in a wheelchair, with his back to the audience. Two venticelli, "purveyors of fact, rumor and gossip throughout the play," hurry in, speaking rapidly about "the whole city . . . talking day and night." Salieri cries out, "Mozart! Pardon your assassin . . . have mercy." The venticelli explain that when Mozart died thirty-two years ago, there was some talk about him being poisoned by Salieri. They wonder why...
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