During the rehearsal in the hall, tensions emerge between some members of the orchestra. Domenico misunderstands the relationship between Sara and Matteo, while the rehearsal continues amid errors, nervousness and arguments between the musicians. The maestro, focused on the music, ignores the chaos that builds around him.

A teacher reads a passage from one of Shakespeare's sonnets and asks the class to interpret it. Matteo speaks up. Here is the original English: "Mark how one string, sweet husband to another, Strikes each in each by mutual ordering; Resembling sire and child and happy mother, Who, all in one, one pleasing note do sing: Whose speechless song being many, seeming one, Sings this to thee: 'Thou single wilt prove none."