One of the enduring myths in classical music was the supposed rivalry of composers Austrian Wolfgang Mozart and Italian Antonio Salieri, with the latter suspected of hastening Mozart’s end by poisoning.
In reality, despite some rivalry being in competition for jobs, they seem to have got along reasonably well. Mozart died aged 35 from causes unknown, variously ascribed to overwork, financial worries or fever.
Mozart was born 27 January 1756 6pm Salzburg, Austria and Salieri on 18 August 1750 10pm Legnago, Italy.
Mozart had a 5th house Sun Saturn Mercury in Aquarius opposition Neptune so was serious about performing, quite neurotic. He had an ambitious 10th house Mars in Cancer; and a possessive Moon Pluto in the 4th square Uranus and trine Neptune – so emotionally changeable.
Salieri was a Sun Mars in Leo opposition Uranus – so quite volatile and excitable; and could be jealous if he was outshone. He had Saturn Pluto in his 7th so harmonious relationships wouldn’t come easily to him.
Mozart’s Moon Pluto fell in Saleri’s 8th and M’s Sun Saturn in S’s 10th, so Salieri would feel cornered and deflated at times, composing as the same time as one of the great geniuses.
Their relationship chart has a friendly composite Sun opposition Venus; a supportive Mars Jupiter conjunction; though Mars was also conjunct Neptune so one’s success would diminish the other. The composite Mars was inconjunct Saturn and Pluto inconjunct Venus – so there would be strains and rough edges. But nothing too hostile.
Salieri produced nothing in the last two decades of his life and ended up suffering from dementia. His work fell into obscurity from which it was only rescued fairly recently.