Anna and Marika tell the first part of the story of Violetta and Alfredo, their falling in love and their decision to live in Paris together. But their happiness doesn't last...

Violetta writes a letter of farewell to Alfredo. He is miserable, but hears of a party where he is sure to see her. But there, things go from bad to worse. Alfredo ends up having to live abroad, and Violetta's illness gets much worse. Will they ever be able to embrace each other again?

Verdi's Rigoletto: intrigue, love, passion and cruelty. Brought to you by Anna and Marika.

Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto: more passion, intrigue, love, and cruelty at court. The curse is fulfilled!

Meet the characters from The Barber of Seville, an opera by Gioacchino Rossini that was first performed in 1816: brought to you by Anna and Marika.

Anna and Marika tell us the story of Rosina, who in the midst of deception and intrigue, ends up getting married. But to whom? The one she loves, or the one who wants her at all costs?

Magpies [gazze ladre] in folklore are known to be attracted by shiny things. Rossini's opera La Gazza Ladra recounts the story of Ninetta, a servant girl. She is wrongly accused of stealing the silverware that the family magpie stole.

Ninetta is in prison, condemned to death, and things are looking very bleak, indeed. Don't worry though; in the end, love and justice win out, and everyone except the magistrate lives happily ever after.

Massimiliano is a musician, and together with his friend Stefano, and the mascot Cuba, he's trying to introduce the group to record labels. In addition to talking about his dream, he talks about Garbatella, the neighborhood where he was born, and which he wants never to leave.

Naples was chosen for the Earth Day Italy celebration. The choice had special meaning in light of the problems Naples has had in the past regarding waste management.

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.

In the present, Domenico is describing his life in Rome to his audience. There are flashbacks to the reality of those times.

Domenico begins recounting his second (and best) year at the Experimental Center in Rome. One reason it was his best year is that he met a very special person.

Domenico happens to get a glimpse of Vittorio De Sica himself and chases him down to ask him for a part.

De Sica is generous with Domenico. Later on, seated on the curb with his friend, Domenico borrows a guitar from a "blind" person nearby and sings a song he wrote.

Domenico gets a small role in a movie where he has to sing a child to sleep. He then tries his luck in a singing contest. He also seems to be getting some attention from some women...