Amadeus: development of pace and rhythm

Pace and Rhythm

In Amadeus, music plays a significant role in determining the pace and rhythm of the play.
Mozart’s compositions - including operas, concertos and symphonies - featured in the play, help to set the tempo, acting as a heartbeat to the unfolding drama and action.
The juxtaposition of Salieri’s composed and melodious narrations with Mozart’s erratic and lively dialogues showcases a contrast in pacing, heightening dramatic tension.

The dual narrative structure of the story - Salieri’s reflective narration from the past and his interactions with Mozart in the present - contributes to the rhythm of the play.
This structure creates a dynamic fluctuation of pace - slow during Salieri’s ruminations and rapid during encounters with Mozart - aiding to maintain interest and suspense.
Long monologues by Salieri, which allow him to go into depth about his emotions and thoughts, slow the pacing, while brief snappy interactions between other characters create a brisker pace.

The progression of themes - from admiration to envy, rivalry to sabotage - creates a rising pace towards the climax of the play.
The intensity and tempo of the play increase as Salieri’s obsession with Mozart’s genius grows, culminating in a feverish and dense rhythm towards the end.
Mozart’s premature death signifies a sharp break in rhythm, followed by a slow and reflective tone in the final scenes.

The combination of comedy and tragedy in the play also influences the rhythm and pace.
Comic elements, primarily represented through Mozart’s goofiness, quicken the pace with their lightheartedness and unexpectedness, while the tragic parts, dominated by Salieri’s self-centered reflections, slow it down.
The seesaw between these two opposing styles creates a unique rhythmic pattern, with sudden shifts in mood and tempo contributing significantly to the overall theatrical experience.

Scene transitions are used effectively to modulate pace - quick transitions give a frenzied tempo while slower ones allow a pause for emotional contemplation.
The play uses blackouts and music cues to shift between scenes, allowing pace fluctuations while maintaining a continuous dramatic thread.
Mozart’s escalating madness and physical decline near the end are marked by rushed scene transitions - symbolising his life racing toward its tragic conclusion and escalating the play’s tempo.