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."

Matteo arrives late for class and is told, to sit next to Sara who begins asking him questions. It turns out she is almost blind. After the lesson, Matteo meets some of his classmates.

Matteo makes his way to his uncle's apartment. Never mind that his uncle was supposed to come to the station to get him... They agree that there is no point in worrying Matteo's father with the truth.

We meet a few of the musicians attending the conservatory and the orchestra conductor, who is no-nonsense and stern.

A young man is departing by train and says goodbye to his two parents in different ways. In another scene, a little girl is going to school very reluctantly and her brother has to practically drag her there.

Domenico Modugno goes to New York City, where he sees his song has taken over. It made history all over the world.

The winner of Sanremo is announced, and the news travels fast. The winning song makes Italians feel optimistic after the terrible war and postwar periods.

The big night arrives and we, along with so many watching him on black and white TV, finally hear the song in Modugno's performance at Sanremo. It was a moment of great pride and optimism for Italy.

Mimmo and Franca have a relaxing moment by the sea. Franca has some important news for him.

Franco Migliaccio is filled with pessimism and Johnny Dorelli is filled with fear, but Mimmo is feeling very sure of himself at the Sanremo Festival.

It's New Year's Eve and Mimmo and Franca celebrate with friends. As promised, Mimmo gets some concert clothes from the Sanremo festival. And then, the big day arrives and Domenico finds himself in the midst of already famous artists.

When Franca comes home after her day on set, she finds Mimmo asleep on the couch surrounded by sheets of music paper. She has some news for him. He goes to Milan to meet with Gramitto who has always been skeptical about the new song ever taking off.

In the middle of the night, Mimmo finally comes up with the refrain to the song that would become famous the world over. He can't curb his enthusiasm and calls Franco and Gramitto, even though it's three in the morning.

Three months have passed, and Mimmo and Riccardo are still trying to find the right lyrics for the song. Their frustration comes to the surface and the song risks going up in smoke.

As Franco Migliacci wakes up after his hangover, he sees the poster he bought of Chagall's famous blue painting, and starts writing some lyrics. Later on he gets together with Mimmo, and has to be cajoled into showing him what he has written.