Tormented to an early grave, or poisoned perhaps, by his insecure contemporary?

Did the brilliant composer Mozart really fall by the jealous hand of Antonio Salieri?

Rumour has portrayed Salieri as an envious and wrathful murderer.

After all, Mozart had proven his almighty power as a composer. And, to make matters worse for Salieri, Mozart became the first composer to grow more famous immediately after death.

Opus Orchestra brings ‘18th Century Unwrapped' to Baycourt on Saturday, July 2, at 5pm.

In typical ‘unwrapped' style, music director Peter Walls will unpack the musical content, providing fascinating insight for the audience, and much-loved New Zealand pianist Diedre Irons will showcase her brilliant technique in Mozart's masterly Piano Concerto in Eb.

Peter has published widely on Mozart and his contemporaries, and is an eloquent and entertaining speaker.

Diedre has performed in 25 countries and is one of New Zealand's most distinguished musicians, appearing regularly as soloist, chamber musician and recording artist.

The evening's programme will delight with gems from the wonderful world of Viennese classicism, including Salieri's witty ‘Name Day' Sinfonia, and Haydn's magnificent ‘Oxford symphony'.

Also on the programme is the poignant and deeply expressive ‘Music for Jonny', written in memory of his nephew by one of New Zealand's leading composers, Ross Harris.

Drama, beauty, intrigue, grace and wildfire – something to inspire everyone!

Tickets available through the Baycourt Box Office or Ticketek, and school children can enter for free.

For more information, contact events@orchestras.org.nz

So was Salieri a scheming murderer? Come along and find out!