Amadeus

Salieri complains about the decline in the quality of composing and music appreciation. Then he speaks directly to the audience, explaining that he is going to die soon and is not looking for forgiveness for his actions. Salieri adds, “I was a good man, as the world calls good. What use was it to me? Goodness could not make me a good composer. Was Mozart good? Goodness is nothing in the furnace of art” (58). He returns to the night that Constanze brought him Mozart’s compositions. Constanze returned to Salieri shortly after leaving. Mozart has gone to a party without her and she is prepared to give in to Salieri’s advances. Instead, Salieri tells her to take the portfolio and leave. She attacks him, he throws her to the ground, and she leaves. The next day, Salieri takes Katherina Cavalieri as his mistress. Additionally, he resigns from his committees that exist “to help the lot of poor musicians” (60). Finally, Salieri says, “I went to the emperor and recommended a man of no talent whatever to instruct the Princess Elizabeth” (60). The scene cuts to the palace, where Emperor Joseph is surprised to hear that Salieri is not recommending Mozart.