Antonio Vivaldi’s life comes to the big screen in “Primavera”

A fresh take on the Baroque maestro

Antonio Vivaldi, the renowned Italian Baroque composer and violinist famous for “The Four Seasons,” will be the central figure in “Primavera,” the debut feature film by acclaimed opera director Damiano Michieletto. The film, which begins shooting this month in Rome and Venice, has already garnered attention with Memento International on board for distribution.

A story inspired by a celebrated novel

The screenplay for “Primavera” is crafted by Ludovica Rampoldi, an award-winning screenwriter known for her work on “The Traitor” and “Gomorrah – the series.” The script draws inspiration from Tiziano Scarpa’s critically acclaimed novel “Stabat Mater,” though it takes creative liberties to weave its narrative.

Set in the vibrant 18th-century Venice, “Primavera” follows Cecilia, a 20-year-old violin prodigy living in the Pièta orphanage. Despite her exceptional talent, Cecilia’s future seems bleak, with marriage being her only escape from the orphanage. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Antonio Vivaldi, a brilliant and ambitious composer who becomes her new violin teacher. Under Vivaldi’s guidance, Cecilia finds the courage to challenge her seemingly predetermined fate.

Stellar cast and crew

The film stars Tecla Insolia, known for “The Art of Joy,” as Cecilia, and Michele Riondino, recognized for his roles in “Palazzina Laf” and “Worldly Girl,” as Vivaldi. Michieletto, who has worked with prestigious opera houses such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera House in London, expressed his excitement about venturing into filmmaking. He praised Insolia for her “freshness, hidden fragility, and unpredictability.”

“Cecilia feels unwanted but possesses a feisty character. She is the only one to stand up to Vivaldi, who, in turn, is the only person to recognize her talent. It’s a meeting of souls in search of love,” Michieletto added.

Production and technical excellence

“Primavera” is produced by Indigo Film, the company behind Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grande Belleza” and “Youth,” and co-produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia and France’s Moana Films. The film will be released in Italy by Warner Bros. and in France by Diaphana Distribution.

The production boasts a stellar crew, including cinematographer Daria D’Antonio (“The Hand of God,” “Parthenope”), editor Walter Fasano (“Call Me by Your Name,” “Suspiria”), composer Fabio Massimo Capogrosso (“Kidnapped”), production designer Gaspare De Pascali (“Sicilian Letters”), and costume designer Maria Rita Barbera (“The Son’s Room”).

A timeless tale of music and liberation

Memento International described the script as a “true page-turner, drawing us into the vibrant world of 18th-century Venice.” The film explores the extraordinary artistic relationship between young violin virtuoso Cecilia and the legendary Antonio Vivaldi, telling a timeless story of musical passion and personal liberation that is expected to resonate with audiences worldwide.

“Primavera” is part of Memento International’s 2024 summer lineup, which also includes the Venice Horizons award-winning film “Familiar Touch,” Will Seefried’s gay romance drama “Lilies Not for Me,” the romance-biopic “The Divine Sarah Bernhardt” by Guillaume Nicloux, Jonas Trueba’s sentimental comedy “The Other Way Around,” and Ryan J Sloan’s paranoia thriller “Gazer.” The company’s slate of movies in post-production includes the crime feature “Unidentified” by Haifaa Al-Mansour, the Norwegian genre film “The Ugly Stepsister” based on Cinderella, and the thriller “Arenas” by Camille Perton.

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