Belcanto — Season 1

Naples, 1847. Maria and her two daughters, Carolina and Antonia, earn their living as street hustlers with the girls' father, Iginio Cuoio. When the man discovers Antonia's singing audition, which could lead her to tread the boards of the most prestigious theatres in Milan, he punishes Maria and his daughter, shattering their dream. But Carolina goes beyond herself, determined to realise Antonia's aspiration and save her mother and sister from the misery in which they live, risking, despite herself, losing her great love, Saverio.

Maria, Antonia and Carolina manage to escape and, on their long journey, get a lift to Milan from Domenico Bernasca, the owner of the inn "La mano di ferro". Once in town, however, they have to accept that Antonia has lost the role she obtained from the audition in Naples and are forced to ask for help from Domenico himself, who offers board and lodging in his tavern in exchange for their work. Maria, meanwhile, seeks help for Antonia from the famous singing master Crescenzi and the tenor Giacomo Lotti. Carolina, on the other hand, goes to a scribe, the young intellectual Enrico De Marchi, to have a letter written and get in touch with Saverio.

Antonia attracts the attention of maestro Crescenzi because of her vocal talent. Impressed by her voice, Crescenzi offers her the opportunity to study in his prestigious singing class, on the condition that her sister Carolina also participates in the lessons. The maestro, in fact, has secretly noticed Carolina's potential and believes they can both excel in the world of opera. However, the lessons are expensive, and Maria is forced to seek employment to support her daughters' educational expenses. She thus decides to work as a maid for the noble Bellerio family. Meanwhile, Crescenzi discovers that Carolina is illiterate and threatens to exclude her from school if she does not learn to read and write quickly. Maria, determined to ensure a better future for her daughters, endeavours to help Carolina make up for her educational deficiencies.

A secret from Maria's past comes to light: it is revealed that she was once an opera singer. This revelation deeply upsets Carolina, who feels betrayed and confused. In turmoil, Carolina contemplates fleeing and returning to Naples to Saverio. It is Antonia who intervenes, convincing her sister to stay in Milan and continue their artistic journey. This discovery not only strains the relationship between mother and daughter, but also forces Maria to confront a past she had tried to forget.

Carolina surprises everyone and emerges as the star of the competition, surpassing both her sister and Sarrasine, the Prince's enigmatic favourite. Her triumph captures everyone's attention and she is offered the lead role in "La Cenerentola", triggering her sister's envy. Meanwhile Olympia, Henry's revolutionary sister, is injured in a clash with Austrian guards. Carolina rescues her, hiding her in the cellar of Domenico's inn. During the engagement party of Maddalena Bellerio and Colonel Pavel Falez, Carolina is forced to perform with Sarrasine, where she discovers a shocking secret about the mysterious singer.

Antonia, aiming for the role of her sister in "The Cinderella", reveals Olympia's hideout to Colonel Falez, who has always been fascinated by her. During an escape attempt, the revolutionary loses her life at the hands of Falez. Enrico, devastated by his sister's death, is suspicious of Antonia and begins a quest to discover the truth. Meanwhile, Carolina struggles with Saverio's return. Having confirmed Antonia's guilt, Enrico joins the revolutionaries and plans a revolt to sabotage the opera premiere, ready to do anything to avenge Olimpia.

Antonia prepares to face her return to the stage alone in ‘La Cenerentola'. Meanwhile, Saverio offers to help Enrico escape to Switzerland, while Giacomo is again faced with a difficult choice between his reborn love and his career.

The famous Giuseppe Verdi, impressed by Carolina's talent, offers her the role of Fenena in ‘Nabucco' through Crescenzi. Nevertheless, Carolina is determined to join Enrico on the battlefield against the Austrians. This is why Maria undertakes to protect her, trying to persuade her not to give up music and to seize this extraordinary opportunity. Meanwhile, Antonia strives in vain to usurp the role intended for her sister. Carolina, in the midst of these tensions, is faced with a new and profound realisation.