The Academy Award-nominated documentary Viva Verdi!, which explores a retirement home for musicians founded by Giuseppe Verdi, has been added to the Jolt streaming platform. Directed by Yvonne Russo, the film features an Oscar-nominated original song composed by Nicholas Pike. This move aims to broaden the film's reach beyond festivals to audiences across the U.S.
The documentary Viva Verdi! delves into the world of Casa Verdi, a retirement home in Milan, Italy, established in 1896 by the renowned opera composer Giuseppe Verdi to support aging singers and musicians. Located on Piazza Michelangelo Buonarroti, the facility has housed over 1,500 retirees over the decades. The film, produced by Christina La Monte, Russo, and the late Ron Simons, follows residents between the ages of 77 and 107 as they perform, teach, and mentor 16 international young music students living among them.
Directed, produced, and written by Yvonne Russo, Viva Verdi! has garnered attention for its heartfelt portrayal of intergenerational connections through music. A standout element is the aria 'Sweet Dreams of Joy,' composed by Emmy-winning Nicholas Pike and performed by soprano Ana María Martínez. This operatic piece earned a rare Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category, competing against tracks from Diane Warren's Relentless, KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, and Train Dreams.
Russo and La Monte expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: 'We are thrilled about our partnership with Jolt, a trusted home for filmmakers. Jolt provides a great opportunity for audiences everywhere to enjoy our heartfelt film that bridges generations through music – our love letter to Verdi that has inspired, delighted, and entertained at every festival to date.'
Jolt, a worldwide streaming platform, specializes in award-winning documentaries such as The Bibi Files, Hollywoodgate, Gaucho Gaucho, Can't Look Away, and While We Watched. CEO and co-founder Tara Hein-Phillips stated, 'Jolt exists for films exactly like Viva Verdi!, beautiful, life-affirming stories that deserve to find their audience. This is a film about legacy, about passing wisdom between generations, and about the enduring power of art. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share it.'
Russo recalled her first visit to Casa Verdi: 'When I walked in for the first time, I could hear almost like sonic colors that were floating through the hallways. I just knew, wow, this place is pretty magical… Giuseppe Verdi willed his fortune to create this home, and there’s no other place like it in the world.' La Monte added, 'First of all, you see these little Verdi altars in every room. All of [the guests] say, “My dreams have come true here. I don’t have to think about work. I can work with other artists.” It’s a dream come true for all of them.'
Pike, a UK native who studied at Berklee College of Music, described his inspiration: 'Christine … gave me this 12-minute clip [of the film] … It was just so full of life. It was so inspiring that I literally walked over to the piano behind me and wrote that piece.' His previous credits include the Emmy-winning documentary In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt’s Unfinished Revolution.
