Although Italian composer Antonio Salieri was rumored to have fatally poisoned Mozart out of jealousy in 1791, there is no evidence that the renowned musician was truly a killer.
Public DomainA portrait of Antonio Salieri, an Italian composer of the Classical era, painted by Joseph Willibrord Mähler.
Antonio Salieri was a leading composer and teacher of the Classical era who is best known today for a rumored rivalry with Mozart. But beyond the myths, he was an orphan who rose to shape the sound of European music from behind the scenes. Yet despite his incredible success, Salieri would become infamous for a rumor that he had a hand in Mozart’s early death.
Born in 1750 in the small town of Legnago, south of Verona, Antonio Salieri grew up in a musical family. His father was a merchant who also ran a string business, and his older brother Francesco trained under the famous violinist Giuseppe Tartini. From an early age, Salieri was surrounded by music, and it quickly became his passion.
Even as a child, Salieri couldn’t get enough of music. He would sneak away to hear his brother perform in nearby churches and often voiced strong opinions about what he heard. In one story, he criticized a priest’s flashy organ playing—a bold move for a boy barely in his teens. That strong musical instinct would define his career for the rest of his life.
Salieri’s Unlikely Path to Vienna
Around the age of 13, tragedy struck. Both of Antonio Salieri’s parents died within a short time of each other, leaving him an orphan. He was passed from one guardian to another before finally ending up in the household of a nobleman from the Mocenigo family in Venice. What could have ended his musical dreams instead opened new doors.
In Venice, Salieri began formal studies with composer Giovanni Battista Pescetti and singer Ferdinando Pacini. These early lessons, grounded in both instrumental and vocal music, would become the foundation for Salieri’s future success in opera. But his real turning point came when he met Florian Leopold Gassmann, a respected composer visiting Venice from Vienna.
Public DomainEngraving of composer Antonio Salieri, whose influence shaped the future of opera in 18th-century Europe.
Gassmann quickly recognized Salieri’s talent. He brought the teenager back to Vienna, personally funding his education and giving him a home. Under Gassmann’s mentorship, Salieri studied not only music but also Latin, German, and poetry.
In Vienna, Salieri thrived. He immersed himself in the bustling musical life of the city and took his studies seriously. He lived with Gassmann until his mentor’s death in 1774, by which time Salieri was already composing his own works. The relationship with Gassmann had deeply shaped him, instilling in Salieri a sense of discipline, spirituality, and devotion to craft.
Salieri’s Early Works and Rise in Vienna
Salieri’s early compositions reflected his training in both sacred and secular music. His Mass in C major, written in a strict, old-fashioned style, showed his serious side. His first opera, La vestale, is now lost, but he soon found success with Le Donne Letterate in 1770—a comic opera that gained attention in Vienna.
His real breakthrough came in 1771 with Armida, praised for its emotional depth and theatrical power. The opera’s popularity led to performances across Europe and even German translations. In 1772, Salieri composed La Fiera di Venezia, a lively comic opera that broke new ground by including sung and danced parts performed by actors and chorus members alike.
By 1774, Salieri had become Assistant Director of the Italian Opera in Vienna—an impressive achievement for someone still in his twenties, which was a huge deal for someone still in his twenties, reports World History Edu. At just 24, Salieri was responsible for conducting and staging productions at one of Europe’s most prestigious cultural institutions.
When the opera company ran into financial trouble and closed in 1777, Salieri didn’t give up. Instead, he looked outward, composing new works for cities like Milan and Paris.
Success in Paris
In 1784, Salieri’s career reached new heights with the premiere of his French opera Les Danaïdes in Paris. The work was originally believed to be a collaboration with Gluck, but Salieri later claimed full authorship. Either way, the opera was a major success, and it helped cement his reputation far beyond the German-speaking world.
That same year, Salieri was appointed Kapellmeister of the imperial court in Vienna—a role that put him in charge of all church music for the powerful Habsburg dynasty. He would hold the position for decades, shaping the sacred music of Vienna and mentoring generations of composers.
Salieri’s music thrived in the 1780s and 1790s. He wrote operas, symphonies, sacred music, and secular songs. His ability to adapt to different languages and styles made him a favorite not only in Vienna but throughout Europe.
The Saul Zaentz Company 1984F. Murray Abraham portrays Antonio Salieri in the 1984 film, Amadeus.
Despite his many accomplishments, Salieri’s name is most often linked with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The claim that Salieri secretly hated Mozart and may have even poisoned him was fueled by rumors, gossip, and later dramatizations like the play and film Amadeus.
Salieri, Mozart, and the Poisoning Myth
The myth of a rivalry between Salieri and Mozart emerged shortly after Mozart’s death in 1791, gaining momentum with a play by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The most shocking claim was that Salieri confessed to poisoning Mozart on his deathbed. However, there’s no solid evidence to support this. Historians believe Salieri, suffering from physical and mental decline, may have been confused when he allegedly made this statement.
There is also no proof that Salieri—or anyone—poisoned Mozart. Mozart had a history of illness, and in September 1791, he became seriously ill while in Prague. Though he briefly improved, his health worsened upon his return to Vienna in November. He died suddenly on December 5, 1791, at 35. Over a hundred possible causes have been proposed, but poisoning remains unsubstantiated.
Today, historians generally agree that Mozart died of natural causes related to illness, not foul play.
Orion PicturesAdapted from a popular play, Amadeus is a film about the purported rivalry between Italian composer Antonio Salieri and his younger nemesis,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
While there may have been moments of professional jealousy between Salieri and Mozart, there is little evidence that Salieri actively sought to harm Mozart. In fact, Salieri attended the premiere of The Magic Flute and later gave music lessons to Mozart’s son.
Salieri’s real sorrow in later years likely stemmed from the decline in his own popularity, not envy of Mozart. According to Serenade Magazine, the rumors surrounding his role in Mozart’s death affected him deeply, contributing to his depression.
In a conversation with his friend Hüttenbrenner on June 8, 1822, Salieri reflected back on his life.
“I feel that the end of my days is drawing near; my senses are failing me; my delight and strength in creating songs are gone; he, who was once honored by half of Europe, is forgotten; others have come and are the objects of admiration; one must give place to another. Nothing remains for me but trust in God, and the hope of an unclouded existence in the Land of Peace,” he told his friend.
Salieri’s true legacy is as a composer and teacher who shaped classical music by mentoring figures like Beethoven, Schubert, and Liszt. He passed away in 1825 at 74, with his health failing. After his death, rumors resurfaced about a deathbed confession, but they remain unproven. Most historians agree that Mozart’s death was due to natural causes, not foul play.
Far from being the villain portrayed in popular myths, Salieri was a respected musician and a key figure in classical music. Salieri’s contributions to opera and sacred music continue to have an impact on classical music today.
Now that you’ve read about the life of Antonio Salieri, learn about Francesco Lotoro the Jewish composer who saves the music of Holocaust victims. Next, dive into the story of Mozart’s mysterious death.
