the mommy avenger

If you’ve ever seen the film Amadeus, then you know the drama, the genius, and the juicy speculation surrounding one of classical music’s most famous rivalries: Mozart vs. Salieri. Was it envy? Admiration? Something in between? While historians have long since clarified much of the legend, there’s no denying the fun of revisiting this storied clash of composers — especially when you get to do it in an intimate, stunning setting with the Utah Symphony as your guide.

That’s exactly what’s happening Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 7:30 PM inside the gorgeous St. Mary’s Church in Park City, Utah. And yes — we’re going!

As part of the beloved Deer Valley Music Festival, the Utah Symphony is giving us a front-row seat (figuratively and possibly literally!) to experience the musical magic of both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri — not just as legends in history books, but as living, breathing composers whose music still stirs the soul.

If you’re like me, Amadeus might have been your first introduction to this infamous musical showdown. I remember watching it and being swept away by the story: Salieri, the established court composer, brooding over Mozart’s brilliance — and Mozart, the wild-haired genius who seemed to create divine melodies with barely a second thought.

Was Salieri really out to sabotage him? Or was he just a man wrestling with the heartbreak of watching someone younger and far more gifted do everything he only dreamed of?

No matter which theory you subscribe to, this concert is a rare chance to experience their music side by side. The program will feature works from both composers, letting us be the judge. Who will win your heart? The intense sophistication of Salieri? Or the bold, emotive genius of Mozart?

I can’t wait to find out and hear the difference for ourselves. Music history lessons are one thing, but getting to feel it live, echoing through a beautiful church, is a whole new level.

St. Mary’s Church in Park City is one of those venues that makes you say “wow” the moment you step inside. It’s peaceful, reverent, and surprisingly cozy despite its grandeur. That’s part of the magic of this particular concert in the Deer Valley Music Festival lineup — it’s not a stadium experience, it’s a personal one.

The acoustics inside are breathtaking, and with the Utah Symphony leading the way, this is one of those concerts that won’t just be heard — it’ll be felt. I’m already picturing that moment when the first notes begin and everything else just falls away.

Whether you’re a longtime classical music fan or just someone who loves a good story set to a killer soundtrack, Mozart vs. Salieri promises to be a night to remember.

If this sounds like your kind of night out (or date night, or parent-kid cultural adventure), don’t wait — tickets are selling quickly!

You can purchase directly from the Deer Valley Music Festival event page here. General admission starts at $45, and trust me — every seat in St. Mary’s feels like the best seat in the house. Doors open early, so come a little ahead of time to soak in the venue and get settled.

There’s also the option to buy a Festival Pass if you’re planning on hitting more than one of these amazing events this summer (and honestly, there are so many worth seeing!).

Since it’s up in Park City, we’re planning to make an evening of it. Grab dinner before (so many fun local restaurants to choose from!) and enjoy the cool mountain air after a hot summer day in the valley. Park City in July is a dream — and adding a live concert like this into the mix is just the icing on the cake.

So here’s your sign to grab the tickets, plan the night, and immerse yourself in the music of two composers who — rivalry or not — gave the world some of its most enduring masterpieces. Mozart may have been the showy star, but don’t count Salieri out just yet.

See you there, music lovers!