The Hack Is Back

Composer Antonio Salieri was born on this day in 1750.

He was mostly forgotten for almost two centuries, and then came the play and movie Amadeus. Salieri is the lead character.  He's portrayed as a successful but mediocre composer filled with envy at the talent of Mozart, so he goes about destroying his brilliant (if uncouth) superior.

The real Salieri was a mediocre composer, though he does have his champions.  In any case, his music was rarely played until Amadeus came along and made Salieri famous--or infamous.  There's been a corresponding revival of interest in his work. Judge for yourself: