Costume drama near Venice in which five musically talented girls in an orphanage struggle against the patriarchal system of the 18th century.

It is 1800 and the Sant'Ignazio Instituto for Girls is preparing for a visit from Pope Pius VII. Chapel Master Perlina insists on composing a piece of music but is creatively blocked. Five girls, musically very talented, want to help and are stimulated by the discovery of a Pianoforte to work covertly on compositions of their own. Perlina wants nothing of this but the day of the high visit is fast approaching.