Antonio Salieri, a pivotal figure in late 18th-century opera, was a cosmopolitan composer known for his influence on contemporaries. Despite rumors of rivalry with Mozart, he was a sought-after teacher and influential in Vienna's musical scene.
Antonio Salieri was born on August 18, 1749. He played a significant role in the development of Italian opera by skillfully aligning music with theatrical elements.
1750-08-18
Birth of Antonio Salieri
Antonio Salieri, an Italian composer and teacher of the classical period, was born in Legnago, south of Verona, in the Republic of Venice. He later became a pivotal figure in the development of late 18th-century opera.
1766-06-15
Arrival in Vienna with Florian Leopold Gassmann
In June 1766, Antonio Salieri arrived in Vienna with his mentor Florian Leopold Gassmann. This marked a significant turning point in Salieri's musical education and career.
1770
Composition of 'Le Donne Litterate'
In 1770, Antonio Salieri composed his first opera titled 'Le Donne Litterate', which gained attention and was well-received by the Martinez family.
1771-06-02
Premiere of Armida
Salieri's opera Armida premiered on June 2, 1771. It was based on Torquato Tasso's epic poem La Gerusalemme liberata and marked Salieri's first great success in serious opera.
1772-01-29
Premiere of La Fiera di Venezia
Salieri's commedia per musica La Fiera di Venezia premiered on January 29, 1772. It was written for Carnival and featured characters singing in three languages, large ensembles, and an innovative scene combining dances and singing.
1773
Salieri's instrumental works
Salieri's instrumental works from this time period have been criticized for lacking inspiration and innovation compared to his operatic works. These works include concertos for pianoforte, organ, oboe, violin, cello, flute, and oboe.
1774-01-21
Gassmann's death
Upon Gassmann's death on 21 January, Salieri succeeded him as assistant director of the Italian opera in early 1774.
1776
Performance of Salieri's oratorio La Passione di Gesù Cristo
Salieri's oratorio La Passione di Gesù Cristo, with a text by Metastasio, was performed during Advent of 1776.
1777
Financial collapse of the Italian opera company
The financial collapse of the Italian opera company in 1777 led to the end of Italian opera performances and the establishment of a new National Theater promoting German-language productions.
1778
Europa riconosciuta
Europa riconosciuta was an opera composed by Antonio Salieri in 1778.
1783-04
Scuola de’ gelosi performance in Vienna
In April 1783, Antonio Salieri's opera Scuola de’ gelosi was performed in Vienna, marking the city's return to opera buffa.
1784
Premiere of Les Danaïdes
Les Danaïdes, an opera by Salieri, was first presented in 1784. Initially attributed to Gluck, this work showcased Salieri's talent and added to his reputation as a composer.
1785
La grotta di Trofonio Premiere
Salieri produced one of his greatest works, La grotta di Trofonio, with the text by Giambattista Casti. It was the first opera buffa published in full score by Artaria, showcasing Salieri's continued success in composing operas.
1786
Opera composition competition held by Emperor Joseph II
During the opera composition competition held by Emperor Joseph II in 1786 in the Orangery at Schönbrunn, Mozart was considered the loser of this competition.
1787
Premiere of Tarare
In 1787, the opera Tarare premiered with a libretto by Beaumarchais. It was a satire of absolute monarchism and was notable for being almost entirely through-composed, which was ahead of its time by 60 years before Wagner.
1788
Appointment as Music Director
In 1788, Antonio Salieri was appointed as the music director by Emperor Joseph II, a position he held for 36 years. This role allowed him to compose operas for various theaters in Europe.
1790
Collaboration on a Cantata
Salieri and Mozart collaborated on a cantata for the recuperation of soprano Nancy Storace. Mozart later used Salieri's melody for an aria in Così fan tutte.
1791
Premiere of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute
Mozart's 1791 opera The Magic Flute echoes the competition between Mozart and Salieri, as well as similarities in music between the two composers.
1792
Salieri's operas Axur and other new compositions
By 1792, Salieri's Italian adaptation of Tarare, Axur, became his greatest international success. Axur and his other new compositions marked the height of Salieri's popularity and influence.
1795
Salieri's opera Palmira, Regina di Persia
In 1795, Salieri's opera Palmira, Regina di Persia gained wide popular esteem during his life. It drew on the heroic and exotic success established with Axur.
1797
Dedication of Three Violin Sonatas, Op. 12 to Salieri
Ludwig van Beethoven dedicated his Three Violin Sonatas, Op. 12 to Antonio Salieri in 1797, after receiving lessons in counterpoint from him.
1799
Salieri's opera Falstaff ossia Le tre burle
In 1799, Salieri's opera Falstaff ossia Le tre burle, based on William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, found a wider audience in modern times than its original reception promised.
1804
Salieri's Last Opera Performance
Salieri's last opera was performed in 1804, after which he focused on composing sacred music. He was also a renowned teacher with students like Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Franz Liszt.
1815
Twenty-Six Variations for the Orchestra on a Theme called La Folia di Spagna
In 1815, Salieri composed a large-scale instrumental work known as Twenty-Six Variations for the Orchestra on a Theme called La Folia di Spagna. This piece showcased his mastery of orchestration and drew inspiration from baroque composers.
1816
Salieri awarded the gold 'Civil Medal of Honor'
In 1816, Antonio Salieri was honored with the gold 'Civil Medal of Honor' during a concert featuring works by some of his students, including Franz Schubert.
1823-11
Salieri's Suicide Attempt
In November 1823, Antonio Salieri attempted suicide. This event marked a tragic turn in the composer's life, leading to further health complications.
1824
Salieri's retirement after 50 years of service
In 1824, Antonio Salieri retired after dedicating 50 years of service to the court, just a year before his passing.
1825-05-07
Death of Antonio Salieri
Antonio Salieri passed away on May 7, 1825. He is remembered for his contributions to revolutionizing opera and his interactions with renowned composers like Mozart and Gassman.
1827
Über das Leben und die Werke des Anton Salieri
A publication by I. F. Edler v. Mosel about the life and works of Anton Salieri.
1830
Pushkin's Play Mozart and Salieri Published
Alexander Pushkin's play Mozart and Salieri, published in 1830, dramatized the rumor of Antonio Salieri poisoning Mozart. This play contributed to the perpetuation of the myth of rivalry between the two composers.
1831
Alexander Pushkin's Mozart and Salieri
Within a few years of Salieri's death in 1825, Alexander Pushkin wrote his 'little tragedy' Mozart and Salieri (1831), exploring the theme of envy and rivalry between the two composers.
1878
Critical Assessment of Salieri's Music
In 1878, Clément described Salieri as a highly productive musician with successes during his lifetime. However, he criticized Salieri's works for lacking emotion and warmth, attributing his lack of lasting glory to a focus on skill over genius.
1898
Rimsky-Korsakov's opera Mozart and Salieri
In 1898, Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov adapted Pushkin's play, Mozart and Salieri, into an opera of the same name, further immortalizing the relationship between Mozart and Salieri.
1979
Revival of Salieri's Fame due to 'Amadeus'
The late 20th century saw a revival of Antonio Salieri's fame, largely attributed to the fictionalized depiction of him in Peter Shaffer's play 'Amadeus' (1979) and its 1984 film version. This renewed interest shed light on Salieri's legacy.
1980
Premiere of Amadeus play
Peter Shaffer's play 'Amadeus' premiered in 1980, providing a speculative portrayal of the relationship between Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
1982
A Little Nightmare Music Opera
A spoof opera titled A Little Nightmare Music was released in 1982, where Salieri's supposed hatred for Mozart is humorously portrayed.
1984
Amadeus Film Release
The Oscar-winning film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus was released in 1984, directed by Miloš Forman and starring F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri.
1985
The Mozart Inquest Production
Patrick Stewart played the role of Salieri in the 1985 production of The Mozart Inquest.
1987
Release of Salieri's opera Tarare (1987 production) on DVD
Salieri's opera Tarare, from a 1987 production, has been released on DVD.
1989
Publication of 'Salieri: Rival of Mozart'
The book 'Salieri: Rival of Mozart' by Alexander Wheelock Thayer and Theodore Albrecht was published in Kansas City, Missouri by Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City in 1989.
1995
Release of Salieri's opera Falstaff (1995 production) on DVD
Salieri's opera Falstaff, from a 1995 production, has been released on DVD.
2000
Complete recordings of Salieri's operas Falstaff, Les Danaides, and La Grotta di Trofonio
Since 2000, complete recordings of Salieri's operas Falstaff, Les Danaides, and La Grotta di Trofonio have been released.
2001
Use of Salieri's triple concerto in The Last Castle
In 2001, Salieri's triple concerto was featured in the soundtrack of The Last Castle, marking a rare instance of Hollywood using Salieri's music in a film.
2003
Release of The Salieri Album by Cecilia Bartoli
In 2003, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli released The Salieri Album, a CD featuring 13 arias from Salieri's operas, many of which were previously unrecorded.
2004
Staging of Europa riconosciuta in Milan
In 2004, Salieri's opera Europa riconosciuta was staged in Milan for the reopening of La Scala, with soprano Diana Damrau in the title role, marking a significant revival of his works.
2006
Reference to Salieri in Copying Beethoven
The 2006 movie Copying Beethoven referenced Salieri in a positive light, showcasing his influence and legacy in the world of classical music.
2008
Inclusion of Salieri's Piano Concerto in Iron Man
The 2008 film Iron Man used the Larghetto movement from Salieri's Piano Concerto in C major, adding a classical touch to a key scene in the movie.
2009
First staging of Il mondo alla rovescia in modern times
In November 2009, Il mondo alla rovescia was given its first staging in modern times at the Teatro Salieri in Legnago, as part of the Salieri Opera Festival, showcasing the ongoing rediscovery of Salieri's operas.
2011
Modern production of Der Rauchfangkehrer in Graz
On 14 November 2011 in Graz, Austria, Salieri's Der Rauchfangkehrer was given its first modern production, highlighting the continued interest in Salieri's lesser-known operas.
2013
Damaging Winds Novel Release
C. Ian Kyer's historical novel Damaging Winds, focusing on the rumors of Salieri murdering Mozart, was released in 2013.
2015
Discovery of Cantata Score by Salieri and Mozart
In 2015, composer and musicologist Timo Jouko Herrmann discovered the score of a cantata, Per la ricuperata salute di Ofelia, featuring sections by both Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This discovery shed light on the relationship between the two composers.
2022
Salieri's Legacy
Despite his numerous and diverse compositions, Salieri is primarily remembered for his connections to famous composers rather than his own music.
2024-04-09
Paul Bettany to Play Salieri in ‘Amadeus’ Series
Paul Bettany has been cast to play the role of Salieri in the upcoming 'Amadeus' series. The series will feature him opposite Will Sharpe, who will portray Mozart.