Antonio Salieri 
1750-1825

"..the only thing I love in vocal music is truth, that truth which the incomparable Gluck makes me feel so profoundly throughout and in every detail of his Tragedies, and which I have felt on hearing works of other genres by a few other composers; so I strive to bring truth to all those of my operas which deserve such care..."

Antoino Salieri to Carl F. Cramer, Vienna 20 July 1784
PictureSaliere, by Jospeh Willbrod Mähler, 1814
  • Born in Legnago, south of Verona in the Republic of Venice.
  • Salieri began his musical studies in Legnago. He recalled little from his chidhood except a passion for sugar, reading and music.
  • He was a rambunctious and disobedient child.
  • Between 1763 and 64, both of his parents died. He was briefly taken in my a monk in Padua, and then for unknown reasons became the ward of a Venetian nobleman named Giovanni Mocenigo.
  • Salieri continued his studies of music, and Florian Leopold Gassman took him to Vienna to continue his music education. They arrived in Vienna in 1766.
  • Gassmann took Salieri to church to consecrate his music to God, which had a profound effect on Salieri later in life. 
  • Many of his early compositions are lost.
  • Salieri quickly impressed Emperor Joseph II.
  • Gluck became an informal advisor and friend.
  • First full opera premiered in 1770, Le donne letterate, based on Moliere’s The Learned Ladies.
  • He wrote commissioned operas, which blended styles.
  • 1771- Armida

  • 1772- La fiera di Venezia, Salieri was innovative in the way he combined languages, ensembles and choruses. Especially in a scene that combines a series of o stage dances with signing from both solo protagonists and the chorus. 
    • Mozart would imitate this style in Don Giovanni. 
  • Salieri’s instrumental works do not stand up to criticism as well as his operas .
  • 1774- Assistant Director of the Italian Opera in Vienna. 
  • 1775- married Therese Helferstorfer
  • 1777- the opera company collapsed. Joseph II closed several theaters and reopened two court-owned theaters. The new theaters would promote German language and values. 
    • Salieri never mastered German. 
  • 1778-1780, Salieri went on a tour in Italy, writing for La Scala. He wrote pieces such as Europa Recognized and The School for Jealousy. 
  • 1780- returned to Vienna and opened a German opera alongside one by Mozart--only Mozart’s survived. 
  • 1784- Les Danaides given to Salieri by Gluck, and highly successful in Paris. 
  • 1784, returned to Vienna and befriended Lorenzo De Ponte. De Ponte wrote a libretto for Salieri which was not a success. Da Ponte then wrote the libretto for The Marriage of Fiagro.
  • 1784-88- Salieri generally had a period of success, traveling between Vienna and Paris. 
  • 1788- Became Kkappelmeister of the Imperial Chapel. 
  • 1792 was the height of his popularity with Axur. 
  • Joseph died in 1790, which meant that Salieri lost his greatest patron and protector. 
  • Salieri’s political position became very insecure. 
  • He wrote operas until 1804, until he gave up the stage after the complete failure of Fidelio. 
  • He composed a great number of sacred works towards the end of his life, and continued to teach through the imperial chapel. 
    • He taught Beethoven, Cartellieri, Liszt, Schubert