Mozart was one of the greatest composers who ever lived, and yet, he did not realize financial success during his life. Today, that would be nearly impossible. Mozart's life was very different from the world of today. The general setting was quite opulent. He often performed in palaces and mansions of the rulers and wealthy and their homes were massive, with very formal and highly decorated room. The costumes were also quite opulent and much more formal than they are today. In fact, while Mozart himself seemed like a relatively normal man, who liked to have fun, his world was very different and very formal.
Probably the biggest clue to the revolution from aristocracy to democracy was Mozart's inability to earn a living. In the beginning of "Amadeus," he was playing in an opulent palace for rich aristocrats. By the end of the film, he was writing operas for the "common" people that were far different from the formal music he played in drawing rooms. His opera was bawdy and raucous, and appealed to a wide variety of "lower-class" people who filled the theater. That was a big clue to what was going on in society, and why Mozart had trouble finding work.
Mozart's employment was a source of frustration throughout his life. He could not find a reliable patron, and the people he served were difficult and bad-tempered. He often had to beg for money from friends, and so did his wife. There was not a "music business" then as there is today, and so his employment was always tenuous at best, even when he wrote wonderful music. Salieri was more standard, so he did not upset his employers, and he was more successful in his employment. However, he was not as talented as Mozart was, and he knew it, which is why he envied Mozart and his talent.
Mozart's music was used throughout this film, which makes sense, as it was a film about him. However, it was also used to set the mood of what was happening. The opening was light and fun,...