Gifted composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart moves to Vienna, destined for success and falling in love with soprano Constanze Weber. He soon meets esteemed court composer Antonio Salieri and secures his first opera commission from Emperor Joseph II. But when Salieri hears his music, he publicly dismisses Amadeus' talent, who in turn mocks Salieri's sexual stiffness. Maddened, Salieri then vows to kill Mozart.