Antonio Salieri Salve Regina

Antonio Salieri (1750–1825) was an Italian composer of the Classical period. In 1766, Florian Leopold Gassman invited Salieri to come to Vienna. Salieri accepted this offer and, apart from travelling, never left the city again until the end of his life. He composed in all genres common at the time and was very successful in his day, with his operas being particularly popular in Vienna. His works also include many sacred choral works, such as oratorios, cantatas, masses and requiems.

In the last century, Salieri gained fame through his portrayal in the film Amadeus (1984). The film depicts the supposed rivalry between him and Mozart. Even though the version portrayed in the film most likely bears little resemblance to the historical reality, it had a strong influence on the public image of Salieri. However, the film also ensured that Salieri's largely unperformed works are receiving more attention again today.