Maestro

The fight against Austrian oppression, betrayals, tragedies, passion. A sea of ​​magical music, strung on the thread of historical events in 19th century Italy. The lace that frames this thread is a love story. The composer and his muse: Giuseppe Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi. Destiny did not allow them to be together, but their hearts were looking for an opportunity to be close.

On his way from poverty to worldwide fame, Giuseppe Verdi gets into a dangerous game and loses everyone who truly cares about him. But having reached greatness, he stops seeing the meaning of life.​ The son of a poor provincial roadside tavern owner, Giuseppe has heard the music in every sound around. At the age of five, when he’d go with his father to do some shopping at a successful merchant's store, he'd run up to a spinet in the corner of the room and spontaneously play melodies. This could not go unnoticed.

Having found himself under the patronage of that very merchant, by the age of twenty-five Verdi was a successful, wealthy composer in his town, the father of two children and the husband of his patron's daughter. This was not enough for him.
Taking his family away from their comfortable, quiet life, he moves to Milan to conquer the capital of music. Two years of hardship are crowned with success. Verdi's opera is to be staged in La Scala. 
 
And that's where the vortex of fate's jokes and tragedies begin. Forbidden love that can destroy all hopes. Loss of children. Death of loved ones. Unfulfillable obligations. Creativity mired in routine. All of that followed by devastating success and popularity, adding pressure from all sides.  Regardless, he walks to his goals no matter the price.
 
So here he is, Maestro Verdi, the icon of opera. Lost, devastated, rich and famous. He hears no music anymore. He coins the chords like a roofer coins tiles, having no desire to create. And only the forgiveness of true love can bring him back to life.

  • Project Type:
    Screenplay
  • Genres:
    Romance, Drama, Music, Biopic
  • Number of Pages:
    119
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Quarterfinalist, The Academy Nicholl Fellowship 2022
  • Semifinalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards Spring 2024
Writer Biography

My first feature screenplay was written in 2020 and dedicated to life and art of Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Another two feature projects ("Captain Blood" - an adaptation of Rafael Sabatini's novel, and "Maestro" - Giuseppe Verdi biopic) were written in the next two years while I was studying in High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors in Moscow.
In 2022, with mentorship from New York Film Academy, during a 45 week screenwriting workshop, the "Maestro" project was rewritten and that same year became The Academy Nicholl Fellowship quarterfinalist.
In 2023 a debut novel of Natalia Vengerova was published in Russia, followed by the second book in 2024.
In 2024 "Maestro" became a semifinalist of the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
"Wrong answer" - a psychological drama is the fourth feature screenplay released in February 2025.

Add Writer Biography
Writer Statement

I am a woman, a mother, an artist and a writer. I find my inspiration in filling colours on canvas with stories and filling stories in screenplays with colours. My inspiration lives in the sounds of Mozart, the smell of sandalwood and the taste of the sea. My art is obsessed with the challenge of minimalism. To tell the story in a few lines, to build emotion in a couple of colors. My stories are told in a feminine way. Soft and warm, carrying the comfort of a burning fireplace. Tenderness, spiced with a touch of youthful mischief...