An Evening with Malibran - Theatre play (also available as screenplay)
Title: An Evening with Malibran
Logline: In the early 19th century, Maria Malibran, a fiery and talented mezzo-soprano, defies the conventions of her era to become one of the first international opera stars, challenging the norms of the opera world and transforming it with her unparalleled passion, talent, and spirit.
Pitch:
An Evening with Malibran takes us into the heart of the golden age of opera, where the young and fiercely talented Maria Malibran emerges as a luminous star against all odds. Born in Paris into a legendary operatic family from Seville (Rossini wrote his opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia for her father who was a famous tenor), Maria's life is filled with music from the start, but she quickly outshines the expectations placed upon her, revealing an unrivaled talent and a rebellious spirit that refuses to be caged by society's limitations.
Set against the opulent and eclectic backdrops of Paris, London, and New York in the 1820s and 1830s, the film explores Maria's rapid ascent to fame. Her voice, capable of conveying profound emotion and technical brilliance, captivates audiences across Europe and America, earning her a place among the era's most celebrated performers. Yet, it is her boldness and refusal to adhere to the traditional roles expected of women both on and off the stage that set her apart.
Maria's impact on opera is profound. She challenges the norms of operatic performance, introducing a new level of emotional expression and physicality to her roles that had never been seen before. Her interpretations of both existing and new works force composers and fellow performers to evolve, pushing the boundaries of the art form itself.
However, Maria's journey is not without its struggles. The film delves into her personal life, including her tumultuous relationships with her father and the societal scrutiny that accompanies her fame. It portrays her marriage to Eugène Malibran, a union that begins with promise but becomes a source of pain and constraint, contrasting with her passionate and supportive partnership with Charles de Bériot, the love of her life and father of her child.
Maria's legacy is not just in the roles she immortalized or the barriers she broke but in her embodiment of the artist as an individual, unafraid to express her true self. Her early death at the age of 28 only cements her legend, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.
An Evening with Malibran is a celebration of Maria Malibran's life, a rich tapestry of music, drama, and romance. Through stunning performances and a poignant narrative, the film pays homage to an extraordinary woman who forever changed the world of opera, championing the idea that art is not just about beauty or technique but about the courage to be oneself, against all odds.
Theatre play (also available as screenplay)
Title: Anna of the Violin
Logline: In the opulent yet rigid world of 18th-century Venice, Anna Maria, an orphan with an extraordinary gift for the violin, captures the heart and muse of Antonio Vivaldi, challenging society's constraints to forge her own destiny and transform the world of music forever.
Pitch:
Anna of the Violin unfurls in the scenic waterways and grandiose palazzos of Venice, where music and art flourish amidst strict social hierarchies. At the heart of this story is Anna Maria, a prodigiously talented violinist with a spirit as vibrant as the city itself. Born into obscurity and orphaned at a young age, Anna finds solace and expression through the strings of her violin, her passion undimmed by her circumstances.
Her life takes a serendipitous turn when Antonio Vivaldi, a virtuoso violinist and composer, known as the Red Priest due to his fiery hair and ecclesiastical status, hears Anna play. Struck by her talent and spirit, Vivaldi sees in Anna not just a muse but a reflection of his own rebellious quest to redefine music. Under his mentorship at the Ospedale della Pietà, an institution for orphaned and illegitimate girls, Anna's skill flourishes, and she quickly becomes the lead violinist, her fame spreading throughout Venice and the world.
As Anna's fame grows, so does her influence, inspiring other women to break free from societal constraints. Her relationship with Vivaldi evolves into a deep, complex partnership that defies easy categorization, much like the enigmatic compositions he creates for her alone.
In the backdrop of this personal drama, Venice itself is a character, its beauty and decadence a mirror to the tumultuous changes brewing in the world of art and society. The music—Vivaldi's compositions, reimagined and vibrant, serves as the film's heartbeat, guiding the narrative and emotional arc.
Anna of the Violin is a tale of passion, resilience, and the transcendent power of music. It celebrates the unsung heroines of history, like Anna Maria, whose legacies, though buried by time, continue to inspire. Through her journey, the film explores themes of creativity, gender, and the enduring struggle for artistic and personal freedom.
This visually stunning, emotionally charged film project aims not only to bring Anna Maria's story to life but also to resonate with anyone who has dared to dream and fight for their place in the world, much like the notes of a violin that linger in the air long after the last bow stroke.