Salieri did not poison Mozart.

1791 · 1830 · apart: 39 years

Pushkin made the rumour famous in his 1830 'little tragedy', while Salieri was a respected teacher whose pupils included Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt and Mozart's younger son.

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The event

• Death of Mozart1791 · Vienna. Mozart died in Vienna on 5 December 1791, aged 35, most likely of illness. The rumour that Salieri poisoned him was made famous by Pushkin's play, though Salieri went on to teach Mozart's younger son.

18th century · 19th century

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