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From prodigies to geniuses: The ‘gifted’ fascination

“Mediocrities everywhere, I absolve you. I absolve you, all,” uttered Antonio Salieri in the 1984 film “Amadeus.” The movie is loosely based on the real life of the Italian classical composer and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

In the film, Salieri was forced to shudder in jealousy and bear witness to the genius of Mozart, one of the greatest musical ...