Amadeus: Sound design (direction, amplification, music, sound effects)

Direction of Sound

‘Amadeus’ heavily relies on both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds to create a historically accurate and immersive world on stage. These sound direction techniques help set the tone and establish the setting or time period of the play.
Mozart’s compositions are used as diegetic sound, which includes any music, sound effects, and noises that can be seen or heard by the characters within the play. This makes the audience’s experience more immersive as it gives the impression that the music is physically present in the scene.
Silence is also a part of the sound direction in ‘Amadeus’. Used strategically at certain points in the narrative, it helps to highlight tension or dramatic moments, thereby enhancing emotional impact.

Sound amplification is used to emphasise certain sounds, like footsteps or the rustling of pages, to draw the audience’s attention to specific details, characters, or contexts.
Live opera music and sound effects are also employed to provide a backdrop and a sense of realism to the period being depicted. The inclusion of these elements adds to the theatrical spectacle and lends an authentic tone to the performances.

The integration of Mozart’s masterpieces into the play not only celebrates the composer’s work but also provides a powerful emotional underscore to the drama, enabling audiences to connect more deeply with the characters and their situations.
Music in the play also serves to reflect Mozart and Salieri’s differing views on their art and its meaning. The contrast between Mozart’s revolutionary compositions and Salieri’s more conventional pieces reinforces the conflict at the heart of the narrative.
The use of other diegetic music, like orchestra rehearsals or performances, works to establish the world of 18th-century Vienna, where music was central to society and culture.

The manipulation of sound volume and tone is used to encapsulate and enhance character development. For example, an increase in volume may accompany a character’s elevated state of emotional intensity, whereas a decrease might indicate desperation or disillusion.
Distinct sonic motifs or sound effects can be associated with individual characters, contributing to the construction of character identity and the audience’s perceception of them.
Sound design also aids in conveying the inner emotions and thoughts of characters, a facet that aids in the narrative progression and character exploration within the play.