Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Amadeus : A Play by Peter Shaffer by Peter Shaffer ISBN: 0-06-093549-9 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 07 August, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.77 (22 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Spectacular Speculation
Comment: I first became familiar with this story after seeing the movie "Amadeus." The movie made me curious about the facts in the lives of its two main characters, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. While not necessarily factual, this play by Peter Shaffer is an intelligent and fascinating examination of two men's suffering: pain in both mediocrity and genius.
The play is fast-paced and a relatively easy read. Shaffer paints an elaborate picture of both composer's lives during the time in which they lived. Shaffer's portrait of Salieri is richly written, his thoughts are revealed to the reader/audience through direct speeches and sidebars. Characters act as moving set pieces - their dialogue starting or ending as they carry furniture on and off stage to change scenes.
Shaffer's play is an examination into the ruin of both men. Mozart is ruined by his lifestyle and his lack of funding; the citizens and rulers of Vienna find him rude and offensive. They fail to understand the unfamiliar directions his genius is taking the musical world. Salieri is ruined by his fall into mediocrity and obscurity when Mozart arrives in town, the musician blessed by God, and through his plots that lead to Mozart's downfall. While much about the play is based on speculation, it never rings false because of the strong portrayls of each man.
Having just recently seen this version of the play performed, it is obvious why Shaffer struggled with getting the character of Salieri "just right." He finds absolution in his final act - confessing his sins to his created audience, and not to the creator he once yearned to serve.
Rating: 5
Summary: Mediocrity can be too much to face
Comment: Amadeus, in my opinion, is Shaffer's masterpiece. Shaffer explores the familiar theme of man versus God at a new depth, but it is his treatment of the theme of mediocrity that gives this play its true bite. I find myself in this play and my guess is that you will too. Much like court composer Antonio Salieri, I am good at what I do and I am grateful that I have been endowed with the ability to excel professionally. Still, I am the not best (no matter how much I wish it for myself.) I am, however, blessed or cursed , depending on your perspective, with the ablity to recognize someone who has been given that special gift just as Antonio Salieri realizes the incredible musical talents of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Being truthful, like Salieri, I too can grow jealous, especially when I must work hard at something that comes so easily to someone gifted.
Traveling with Antonio Salieri as he deals with his own talents in the face of Mozart's is a rich, rewarding experience. It is a pleasure I urge you not to deny yourself and I promise that the play offers a much deeper character study than the film. If I had the option to give this 10 stars, I would. It is truly a masterpiece of late twentieth century theatre.
Rating: 5
Summary: Much better than the movie...
Comment: This is, quite simply, one of the finest modern plays ever written for the theater. If you think you don't have to read it because you've seen the movie, think again. They RADICALLY altered the stage play for the screen. The film may look better - but most of the brillance of Peter Shaffer's incredible dialogue is lost. Some of it still remains in the scenes where Salieri is an old man. The play, however, is almost a dramatic monologue delivered by Salieri. Shaffer has an uncanny knack for dialogue and this is his second best play next to Equus. The funny thing is, even though they gutted the text for the film, the film is actually much LONGER than the play. If you liked the movie, have any interest in Mozart - or any interest in great plays, for that matter - read Amadeus.
 |
Title: Pride's Crossing by Tina Howe ISBN: 1559361530 Publisher: Theatre Communications Group Pub. Date: August, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: A Lie of the Mind: A Play in Three Acts by Sam Shepard ISBN: 0452263573 Publisher: Plume Pub. Date: January, 1987 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: Equus (Penguin Plays) by Peter Shaffer ISBN: 0140260706 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: October, 1984 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
 |
Title:Amadeus - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition) ASIN: B00006DEFA Publisher: Warner Home Video Pub. Date: 24 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $22.13 |
 |
Title: Angels in America: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner ISBN: 1559360615 Publisher: Theatre Communications Group Pub. Date: April, 1993 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
