Il Boemo

But that's not enough.

I'll be back here again in a week.

I'm very sorry, Maestro.

ROME 1781

I also have this.

I can give you ten ducats.

Is that all it's worth?

I'll give you 12. But only because it's you.

VENICE 1765

Wonderful.

You've really improved since last time.

Your music is so beautiful.

I'm sorry for butchering it.

I'll never play it exactly right.

It's easy for you.

You were born with a violin in your hands.

No.

My father didn't want us to be musicians.

Neither I nor my brother.

Take it…

from here.

So you have a brother?

A twin brother.

Is he as tall as you?

Yes.

Is everyone as tall in your country?

Women, too?

Just us two.

From the beginning, please.

What a pleasure to see you.

You are so beautiful tonight.

"Who - knows."

In the heavens.

I want to hear "the heavens" clearly.

It's not a problem, you really speak very good Italian.

You're very talented. You're already an amazing composer.

Recitative is hard for all foreigners.

Heaven's justice can return again to Earth.

I want the world to find out

that he is a traitor.

It's wonderful.

Graceful. Singers will like that a lot. Every singer is unique.

You have to use their virtues and shortcomings

to foster the best in each of them

and not lose them because of technical difficulties.

But I think that only a voice that nears the impossible,

the incredible,

can personify a goddess, a god,

someone more than human,

the most passionate emotions.

But be careful. Don't play with fire.

Signor Werner, excuse me.

About the rent…

I'm sincerely embarrassed.

Mr. Myslivecek, you're an educated, polite and honest man.

You shouldn't live like this.

Dedicate yourself to commerce. You would be rich and respected.

Are you expecting someone?

Josef.

Good day.

I want to thank you for your lessons.

Come listen to La Gabrielli with me. The whole of Venice is talking about her.

-Tonight? -Yes.

My father is invited elsewhere, so our opera box is free.

With pleasure.

Father?

Good evening, Mr. Rezzi.

I couldn't resist your father's invitation.

But don't worry, I won't stay long.

I'm still in mourning.

-I'll be leaving, gentlemen. -No. Stay with us.

May he, Father?

Of course.

Thank you for the chance to listen to La Gabrielli.

May I?

What a harlot, but such divine talent.

To think that the whole Venetian Republic drools over such worthless women.

My God, please.

I ask of You this.

Give me the life of a musician.

Dear Lord, help me achieve my aim.

I will celebrate You with my music.

Excellent.

Only…

At times it's better to make small mistakes

and let your emotions speak.

Fear of mistakes leads to stiffness.

Think only of playing with your heart.

This morning I went to look at a nice flat near San Marco.

It would be just right for you.

You could give yourself fully to your art.

That is very kind of you.

I think I couldn't afford it.

I don't pay much where I live.

-Good evening, Giuseppe. -Good evening.

Are you comfortable here?

Yes.

I don't know how to thank you.

I'll pay everything back.

As soon as I can.

Do you like it?

Yes, very much.

I have a dream, too.

I'd like to write a libretto.

I know. I'm a woman.

Can you imagine us writing an opera together?

I'd write the libretto and you'd help find the words.

I have to ask you for something.

Please, Giuseppe. It cannot wait.

Tell me.

I'm in your debt.

You know they want to marry me to the old widow you met at the opera?

Falier, the nobleman.

Just because he's very rich and his cousin is the doge.

I'll never give him my innocence.

Excuse me.

What does "battibecco" mean?

It means a skirmish.

A type of quarrel.

-Oh. A brawl. -That's right.

Good evening, Masquerader. Care to join?

Good evening, Masqueraders.

It would be my pleasure, but I don't play.

Are you serious?

Good evening.

Those ladies over there. Look at the way they walk and their attitude.

So graceful. Gorgeous. Nobility, I'm sure.

And see those two over there? You can have both for a few coins.

Sir… please follow me.

Here you are.

You're in Venice and you didn't come to pay me a visit?

Are you hiding from me?

Are you having doubts? Or fear? Perhaps you feel guilty?

Come on.

Excuse me, sir!

I'm mortified.

I'm sorry. It's my fault.

Melchior, you ass. Where's your head?

I can't believe this.

Accompany this gentleman back.

I just got here and now I must leave?

May I have the honour of knowing who I was mistaken for?

You're very indiscreet.

Is that a German quality?

-You are German, aren't you? -Not quite.

But you're right. I am a foreigner.

I'm a musician and I would like to live and work here.

You have very noble hands.

Intelligent.

Do you have a lover?

Yes.

Rich? Beautiful?

Not as much as you.

How old is she?

My God.

What am I going to do with you?

I admit I don't know how to decide.

What do I know? I'll see.

From a young age, they teach us to be wary of reason.

But I always thought that what separates a truth from a lie,

is just a veil. In order to preserve the lie,

it was necessary to believe everything the priests preached to keep us obedient.

So I got married.

I never loved him.

Then I met a man who taught me to think

and live.

I tore down the veil.

Only then did I start to deeply love God and life.

I cannot stop your wedding.

Of course you could.

If only you wanted to.

My father would surrender to my will if only you really wanted me.

Because I would be rejected forever by my father and society.

But if you loved me, their opinion would mean nothing to me.

I could face them all. Be proud of us, proud of me.

We'd just need to wait until you become famous.

Please.

Don't leave me.

Love me.

Nobody will ever love you as I do.

I know that I can make you happy. I'll give you everything.

Well, here he is! Giuseppe Mislicece.

Mysliveček.

I'm sorry. I always butcher your name, dear friend.

Don't worry. It's impossible to pronounce.

He's a very talented musician.

Let me introduce our brilliant impresario. Orfeo Crispi.

As you know he is a great figure of our music life.

Signor Crispi…

I would have preferred to shake your hand first.

Il Parnaso Confuso.

It's by Metastasio. Brand new.

Maestro Gluck had it sung in Vienna for the children of the empress.

It's an small opera, a simple serenade.

I wrote this version as practice.

What brought you to Venice?

The desire to study under Maestro Pescetti.

-Do you know him? -Of course. I really appreciate him.

I heard his Ezio in the Italian theatre in Prague.

A great thrill.