Il demone del focolare

An elderly composer who is enjoying success at La Scala in Milan has in the past adopted three orphaned sisters whose mother he knew. Nina, the eldest, has a maternal character and has always looked after the other two with great care and affection. Camilla, the second sister, is showing considerable talent in singing but, despite this, remains humble and continues to appreciate the simple things in life. Flora, the youngest sister, is incredibly beautiful and has always taken advantage of her young age to see her every whim fulfilled. When Flora falls for a young marquis who is clearly in love with Camilla and decides, out of spite, to run off with a prince who is flattering her, the whole family is forced to chase her in an attempt to bring her home before the girl’s reputation is ruined forever.
With a great spirit of observation and delicacy, writer George Sand draws a portrait of three girls who are not yet fully women and who are forced to confront their feelings, and the relationship that binds them, while their elderly guardian comically tries to bring them to their senses amidst the Marquis’ love afflictions and the prince’s all too casual character.