Bittersweet symphony

WILL SHARPE AND PAUL BETTANY TALK TO LYNN RUSK ABOUT MUSIC RIVALRIES AND BRINGING WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART'S STORY TO LIFE FOR A NEW SERIES ABOUT THE COMPOSER'S LIFE

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MAESTRO: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Will Sharpe) being applauded by among others Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany)

HEALTHY competition is one thing, but when jealousy and envy take over, the only outcome can be destruction.

The new five-part television series Amadeus explores what happens when rivalries turn sour.

Based on Peter Shaffer's Tony Award-winning 1979 play of the same name and adapted by Joe Barton, this reimagined series traces the meteoric rise and dramatic downfall of one of history’s most iconic composers, the rock-star virtuoso of the 18th century, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

When 25-year-old Amadeus, played by Will Sharpe, arrives in bustling Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber (played by Gabrielle Creevy), and devoutly religious court composer Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany).

As Amadeus’ brilliance continues to flourish despite his personal demons, a questionable reputation, and scepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by what he sees as a divine gift bestowed upon an unworthy rival.

With Amadeus threatening everything Salieri holds dear - his talent, his reputation, even his faith - Salieri vows to bring him down.

Will, 39, known for his roles in Lena Dunham's Too Much and The White Lotus season two, says the challenge of playing Mozart was balancing the duality of his personality.

"It's obviously a fictionalised version of the character," says the London-born actor and filmmaker.

"I approached it much like any other role, by trying to understand who he is on the page and finding a way into that.