Our music lessons continue with Alessio, who shows us the special tool for deciphering the notes on a pentagramma (staff). If the chiave (clef) changes, so do the names of the notes!

Alessio shows us how, now that we have the clefs, we can read music intuitively. And he explains why three different clefs are used in music.

This is part of a film, Capriccio all'italiana shot in 1967-1968. This episode was directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. The singer is Domenico Modugno, and you'll also see Totò. This was Totò's last film appearance.

Adriano tells us about the famous southern Italian folk dance, la tarantella. He also tries dancing it himself.

The second part of Via dell’inferno (Hell Road/Road to Hell) where songwriter Davide Ravera creates an atmosphere of cold winter, tears, music, freedom, longing for home, and beginning again.

Maria Inglese, an Italo-German artist, sings a famous song by Lucio Dalla, dedicated to the Neapolitan opera singer Enrico Caruso. Even though the song uses ti voglio bene, the generally less romantic version of "I love you," it was likely meant romantically here, as Caruso had fallen in love with and married a younger woman shortly before his death.

This biopic about Domenico Modugno, one of the most beloved Italian pop singers of all time, best known for his hit song, Volare, begins with a hymn to life. Enjoy!

Domenico tells his story to the audience, and to us, as he takes us back to when he was a youth. There was one movie theater in town, and he was always there.

Domenico asks his cousin for some money to go to Rome, and goes to see the town priest to see if he can get a ride. But there is an emergency, and his priorities have to shift.

In Sicily, at one time, horses would work in the sulfur mines and slowly become blind. The story is told through a Sicilian ballad, sung by Domenico Modugno. Mimì's mother sits with him as he prepared his bags, but she struggles to understand why he would want to leave. See complete lyrics (in Sicilian) here.

Domenico gets on the pilgrimage bus to Rome and entertains his fellow passengers with a song. Don Antonio might have made different song choices... At the convent where the pilgrims are staying, Domenico makes friends with Father Mello.

Domenico goes to the Experimental Center where there is a sea of candidates waiting their turns to go in and take the entrance exam. He meets a friendly guy named Riccardo Pazzaglia. He also meets a girl who is rather nervous and feeling insecure.

Domenico does his audition in front of the movie camera. Then he has to figure out how to make enough money to pay for his room and board. His new friend Riccardo gives him a couple of important tips.

While the hopeful actors are waiting at the gates of Cinecittà for a bit part, a famous actor drives out and causes a stir. Back at the convent, Domenico sings a song about a cricket in love with the moon. If you want to hear the whole song sung by Modugno, check it out here.

Domenico gives a moving performance of one of his songs at the circolo (club), and meets Raimondo Lanza di Trabia, who is there with the actress/princess he had seen at the convent.