The city is dotted with many churches, and their unattended pews at times serve as sanctuaries for those seeking a place of solitude.
Amid the bustling streets of Cremona, there is one such pew in one such churchâa small quiet spot that belongs to Barcarola alone.
Barcarola: I've already recorded the reverberations inside the church. Ah, if only there were an organ here ...
Barcarola: The percussion might be unclear, though. Perhaps playing legato would be best.
Barcarola: That's enough for today. I must find some time to visit the cathedral. With the differences in architecture and space, it's sure to have a unique acoustic quality.
The girl puts away the cassette tape and leans on a pew to observe her surroundings.
The stained glass reflects the sunlight in a dazzling array. When she was younger, she would run around catching those rays.
This empty church has kept many of her secrets, its saints the first audience to her compositions.
It never opposed her vows and wishes, no matter how absurd they might sound, it gave her no confusion or doubt, it never responded at all.
Barcarola: I shouldn't have told Mamma the world would leave her behind, should I?
Barcarola: She and PapĂ have to make violins, manage the bottega. They basically have to let the teachers take care of me most days. They certainly don't have time to travel.
Barcarola: Did I mess up again?
There are always exhibitions taking place at home, one after the other.
Anxious to prove herself, the child doesn't overlook this fact.
She still lets the Crackling Box perform its melodies in them, she still earns the crowd's applause, and she is still prepared to be reprimanded by her parents.
But things are different now.
Barcarola's Mother: You are right. We have indeed made some improvements to the traditional violin body.
Barcarola's Mother: Such contours allow them to perform better in large concert halls.
Barcarola's Mother: Yes, we test them many times to come as close to perfection as possible. The next exhibition is looking forward to your attendance.
After seeing off the guests, the hostess turns back to the room.
This time, without anyone pulling her out of the wardrobe, the girl stands steadily on her own two feet.
Barcarola's Mother: What's wrong? Stellina.
Barcarola's Mother: Is there a problem with your classes?
Barcarola: No, Maestro Battista said I've made great progress with my vibrato technique.
Barcarola: Mamma, I have something to ask you.
Her mother's calm demeanor leaves her at a loss, forcing her to stammer through an explanation.
Barcarola: Maestro Battista said that music transcends race and status.
Barcarola: "It is another language that allows people to explore unknown worlds."
Barcarola: "Whoever you are, and wherever you go, it will always stir the depths of your soul."
Barcarola: "As performers, we must fully comprehend the role we play. It is our duty to channel the emotions of music to the world."
Barcarola: I think the violin is great, but it can't express all my thoughts.
Barcarola: And in its current state, neither can my Crackling Box.
Barcarola: Violins can mimic human voices, but I want to find instruments that can imitate flowing water or the sound of fruit falling from trees.
Barcarola: I want to make the Crackling Box able to convey every sound in the world.
Barcarola: Do you think I'll succeed, Mamma?
Cruise Ship Musician: Did you manage to persuade your mother?
Cruise Ship Musician: Wonderful, Barcarola! We're just about to set off!
Barcarola: It's like you're about to set off on a pirate adventure or something.
Barcarola: Anyway, this is for you.
Barcarola: I know you wanted to listen to it, but I feel that the singing parts alone won't be enough to help you sleep!
Barcarola: So, I did a bit of research on the arrangement of lullabies.
Barcarola: And I seized the opportunity to test the Crackling Boxânothing major, though.
Barcarola: This one is called "A Day in Cremona." I went to the church yesterday specifically to record some quieter sounds.
As the girl introduces her new achievements, she finds herself unconsciously adopting a familiar tone.
Just like a certain luthier proudly displaying the beautiful violins in her family workshop.
Cruise Ship Musician: I knew you'd have a surprise up your sleeve!
Cruise Ship Musician: And this is for youâtwo cassettes, just like you asked for.
Cruise Ship Musician: I even met a guy from France with a Breton drum. It's got a really cool sound. I recorded a segment for you, right at the end of the tape.
Their gift swap comes to an end, and the girls move on to discuss their lives.
Barcarola: So, how's the "Free Breeze" been lately? You came back so quickly!
Barcarola: Was there some bad weather? No trouble this time, right?
Cruise Ship Musician: Apparently, the captain had some personal matters to deal with. He didn't really explain it to us.
Cruise Ship Musician: But we do have some big news. Notice how Brian didn't come back with us this time? He disembarked at a different port. We'll pick him up on the return trip.
Cruise Ship Musician: Every family has its skeletons.
Barcarola: Do you ever get homesick? I mean, even if you're used to life on the ship, do you ever wish you could stay on land for a little longer?
Barcarola: Right now, I just feel like Cremona is stuck in a big violin case, trapping all other sounds inside.
Cruise Ship Musician: Once you leave home, the novelty wears off quick, and you'll eventually start to miss that solid, grounded feeling of standing on terra firma.
Cruise Ship Musician: The captain told us he's planning on running the ship for another five or six years, then handing it over to someone else.
Cruise Ship Musician: You know, make enough money, find a place he likes, and settle down, so he doesn't have to keep running around when he's older.
Cruise Ship Musician: But what about you, Barcarola? We know your dreams are bigger than this one town.
At the sound of her friend's concern, Barcarola falls silent for a moment.
If she leaves Cremona, will everything change?
And if she were to leave the violin behind, will she find the freedom to express herself?
There are countless cities and instruments in the world. Cremona is just one small place in Italy, and Italy is just a small slice of the world.
She knows this land. She knows the bricks and mortar of it, the seasons as they change, and how it is sung about in folk songs.
Barcarola: I ...
Barcarola's Mother: I see what you're thinking, and I understand.
Barcarola's Mother: But you will not forget about your exam date. Remember your priorities.
Barcarola's Mother: Children go through all kinds of hobbies and odd ideas. Ever since you were little, you've had such an imaginative mind.
Barcarola's Mother: Your Astrictus has always been unpredictable, maybe because you think too much.
Barcarola's Mother: Imagination should be a good fit for the Astrictus, though. This arcane skill only works if you can picture in your mind what the materials should look like once they're joined.
Barcarola's Mother: You're as fickle as the weather.
Barcarola's Mother: Maybe you'll give up on this idea too.
Barcarola: ...
Barcarola: No, we already talked about this.
Barcarola: I'm leaving Cremona. Once I pass my exams, I'm boarding the "Free Breeze" and leaving this place.
Barcarola: When that time comes, I'll sing a song that I could never record for you.
