How Intense Was the Rivalry Between Mozart and Salieri?

For every field of human endeavor, it’s normal to expect rivalries. Whether it’s boxers Frazier and Mohammed Ali, musicians John Lennon and Paul McCartney, we’ve had our fair share of rivals. Sometimes these men and women may not be enemies in the real sense, but that doesn’t stop fans from blowing the embers of discord.

While everyone knows Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Salieri was another brilliant composer of the Classical period. During their time, rumors persisted about their rivalry. But in reality, the competition between them was healthy. Unfortunately, those rumors went as far as claiming Salieri poisoned Mozart. Ironically, Salieri and other composers educated Mozart’s youngest son.