Amadeus Page #5

VOGLER:

My son, there is something dreadful

on your soul. Unburden it to me. I'm

here only for you. Please talk to

me.

OLD SALIERI:

How well are you trained in music?

VOGLER:

I know a little. I studied it in my

youth.

OLD SALIERI:

Where?

VOGLER:

Here in Vienna.

OLD SALIERI:

Then you must know this.

He propels his wheelchair to the forte-piano, and plays an

unrecognizable melody.

VOGLER:

I can't say I do. What is it?

OLD SALIERI:

I'm surprised you don't know. It was

a very popular tune in its day. I

wrote it. How about this?

He plays another tune.

OLD SALIERI:

This one brought down the house when

we played it first.

He plays it with growing enthusiasm.

CUT TO:

INT. THE STAGE OF AN OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT - 1780'S

We see the pretty soprano KATHERINA CAVALIERI, now about

twenty-four, dressed in an elaborate mythological Persian

costume, singing on stage. She's near the end of a very florid

aria by Salieri. The audience applauds wildly.

INT. OLD SALIERI'S HOSPITAL ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - 1823

OLD SALIERI:

(taking his hands off

the keys)

Well?

VOGLER:

I regret it is not too familiar.

OLD SALIERI:

Can you recall no melody of mine? I

was the most famous composer in Europe

when you were still a boy. I wrote

forty operas alone. What about this

little thing?

Slyly he plays the opening measure of Mozart's Eine Kleine

Nachtmusik. The priest nods, smiling suddenly, and hums a

little with the music.

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