News travels quickly in Vienna, but it travels even quicker in Erie, especially when “Amadeus” is coming to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
Many may be familiar with the name Mozart, but to experience this live performance is to get to know the music from the man.
The National Theatre Live is a unique way to view a movie as it is performed in real time without traveling very far or paying high rates for tickets.
The production performance is live in the United Kingdom and it is transmitted to theatres and performance spaces throughout the world, such as Mercyhurst University.
Playwright Peter Shaffer tells the tale of the rivalry between Antonio Solieri and Wolfang Amadeus Mozart.
As a young man, Mozart was a confident prodigy in music.
The show explores the life of such a proud, up–and–coming figure as he tries to make it in Vienna, the music capital of the world.
It is not as easy being great as young Mozart might think as his talent sparks jealousy in other musical artists in the city, specifically in court composer Antonio Salieri.
As expected, a musical war ensues as Salieri realizes he must either promote the young prodigy’s talent or destroy Mozart’s name.
Mozart’s reviews were mostly positive:
“[Amadeus] was my idol.  I can’t think of a time when I didn’t know his name,” Salieri said.
“[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s] work is ingenious.  It’s quality work.  And there are simply too many notes, that’s all.  Just cut a few and it will be perfect,” Emperor Joseph II said.
“I am a vulgar man!  But I assure you, my music is not,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart said.
History knows what becomes of Mozart, but come to the Performing Arts Center on Feb. 19, at 12:55 p.m. to find out what was made of the rivalry and Salieri.
Adult tickets are available for $18, senior and student tickets for $15, and youth tickets for $10.
Tickets are free for Mercyhurst students who present their ID at the box office.
More information can be found at miac.mercyhurst.edu or by calling 814.824.3000.
Do not miss out on this great artistic opportunity.
In the words of the great Emperor Joseph II, “Well, there it is.”