In collaboration with the Driehaus Museum, Chicago Opera Theater and Steppenwolf present a dynamic exploration of Antonio Salieri’s place in music history.​

Who was Antonio Salieri – envious schemer, misunderstood genius, or history’s fall guy? Immortalized in Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, Salieri remains one of the most intriguing and misunderstood figures in classical music. Through a dynamic panel discussion interspersed with live performances, we will explore Salieri’s place in music history as a prolific and innovative composer, a respected conductor, and a highly influential teacher to a generation of composers- including Beethoven, Schubert, and Liszt. We’ll examine how and why Salieri became enshrined in popular imagination as the vicious rival to Mozart, as seen in Amadeus; and hear excerpts from his opera Falstaff, to shed light on the real Salieri - an accomplished composer in his own right whose music reveals a talent and wit that history has too often overlooked. What makes this narrative so compelling - and what truths lie beneath it?

Join us in the historic Murphy Auditorium for this special edition of the Driehaus Museum’s Third Wednesday series as we step into the drama and discover the man behind the myth.

Panel:

Lawrence Edelson, moderator (Chicago Opera Theater General Director)
Christine Brandes (Conductor, Falstaff)
Audrey Francis (Steppenwolf Artistic Director)
Jonathan L. Green (Steppenwolf Director of New Play Development & Dramaturg, Amadeus)

This event is free and open to the public, with donations gratefully accepted in support of the Museum’s ongoing cultural programming and community days.

COT thanks Nancy Dehmlow and the Morse & Genius Operating Reserve Fund for their generous support of the 2025/26 Season.