The film is about an elderly violinist (Ettore Rossetti) who had retired to live in solitude in the outskirts of Lugano. Before an accident suddenly put an end to this career, he played a Stradivarius. When the city of Lugano awards him a prize for his career, he says in his acceptance speech that music has actually destroyed his life. At the same event, a prize is awarded to the best débutant musician, Lea Melini, a 19 year old violinist. Fascinated by the eccentric personality of Rossetti, the young girl decides to pay him a visit. Then, after a falling out with both her parents and her boyfriend, she talks Rossetti into renting her an attic room for a few days. When Lea vanishes, her parents become worried and hire a private investigator (Beccuti). One night Rossetti hears Lea playing and it is like listening to the chant of mermaids. After that, the old musician decides to "liberate" the Stradivarius, which is locked up in a safety deposit box at the bank, and give it to Lea.