VIVA VERDI!

OSCAR NOMINATED FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG - “Sweet Dreams of Joy”

VIVA VERDI! is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the celebrated opera singers and musicians currently living out their 'third act' while mentoring international music students who live among them at Milan's unique retirement home, Casa Verdi, built by the composer Guiseppe Verdi in 1896.  

From these 'Guests of Verdi,’ aged 77 to 107, comprised of international opera singers, ballet dancers, musicians, conductors and composers, we hear an extraordinary array of personal and professional stories filled with music, magic and passion, and ultimately learn why Verdi called this remarkable home his “best work.”  

Verdi,  the most influential Italian Opera composer of the 19th century (La Traviata, Aïda, Falstaff, Rigoletto) willed his vast fortune to build Casa Verdi. Entering it is like walking into a living masterpiece. The air is thick with sounds of music so thick, it’s almost as if you can see it floating in and out of the dozens of rooms, as your heart warms as the music envelopes you, because there is quite frankly, no other place like it in the world.

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Why this film matters to your ecosystem

• Celebrates the Power of Music Across the Lifespan: VIVA VERDI! showcases how music remains a source of purpose, expression, and joy well into later life. Residents, some in their late 90s and beyond, continue to perform, mentor, and create alongside international music students living with them — a vivid portrait of lifelong artistic engagement and intergenerational exchange. VIVA VERDI!

• Fits with Community Partnership Goals: If your organization has partnerships with senior centers, schools, community arts programs, or cultural outreach initiatives, this film naturally supports dialogues around aging with dignity, mentorship, and the role of the arts in strengthening community bonds.

• Inspirational Blueprint for Local Impact: A screening can be paired with panels, discussions, or live performances that explore themes of aging, creativity, cultural heritage, and mentorship — encouraging your community to think about how music and arts can enrich both individual lives and collective identity.

• Enhances Your Cultural Programming: Beyond entertainment value, VIVA VERDI! can deepen public engagement by celebrating familiar art forms (opera and classical music) through relatable personal stories, making classical music more accessible and emotionally immediate to broader audiences.

Connect with us about bringing a screening to your venue, including ideas on programming partnerships, audience outreach, and ways to amplify your mission through sharing this inspiring story of music and community.