Antonio Salieri: Axur, Re d`Ormus

Antonio Salieri`s "Axur, Re d`Ormus." It was one of the most famous operas of 18th century Vienna and one of the personal favourites of Emperor Joseph II. This opera, to a libretto by Lorenzo DaPonte, premiered at the Burgtheatre in Vienna in 1788, becoming an instant success and remaining in the repertoire until the 1860`s, long after Salieri`s death. It is the Italian version of "Tarare," an earlier French opera by Salieri to a libretto by Beaumarchais, one filled with political commentary and satire meant to influence the revolutionary movement developing in France at that time.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• salieri
• opera
• overture
• amadeus

[Crystalllord]

this is amazing! as good as Mozart!

[JEAfan]

calm down people, remember that not the most famous musicians have to be necessarily, the best.

[wks1978]

@KarmStarkiller I didn't know you wrote this.

[Nuk1eus]

@Anjoupup1 I'm sure that if you will hear some less known works by Mozart together with works by Salieri, Mysliveček and other authors of that period composing in similar style, you won't be able to match them with their appropriate authors. Don't try to find much of logic in what was forgotten and what not. Unlike Händel's music, Bach's music completely disappeared from churches and concert halls until its rediscovery by Mendelssohn.Would you say Bach is not really as good as Händel?

[RossiniLvr]

@wks1978 Mozart did indeed compose variations on Salieri's aria "Mio caro, Adone." The scene in Amadeus where it shows Mozart creating "Non piu andrai" from a piece of Salieri's is fictional. Beethoven also composed a wonderful set of variations on Salieri's "La stessa stessissima."

[KarmStarkiller]

Not bad for the patron saint of mediocrity. :)

[wks1978]

@Anjoupup1 Except that the film Amadeus was fictional and Mozart did not compose variations on Salieri's march in real life.

[Anjoupup1]

Not really as good as Mozart, but it answers precisely to 18th century taste - it helps you see the points at which Mozart did new things... where Salieri goes for a conventional and satisfying soultion, Mozart does elobrate and enchant,. That scene in Amadeus where he composes variations on Salieri's march really does capture something.....

[8Ho03EdONl1liL]

Interesting comments. Clearly, Salieri was NOT as good as Mozart. No one was in my opinion, though you could argue that Beethoven was more innovative. Still, this is certainly worth listening to. I'm glad Amadeus helped rescue Salieri from obscurity.

[LilGrey456]

@Crystalllord Almost as good. No one can beat the true genius.

[wks1978]

@Dezalino Your opinion, my friend.