by Eleanor Mannikka
synopsis
Based on a true story that happened in 1921, this drama features a frivolous opera company, their relationships with one another, and their rehearsals of Franz Lehar's "Mazurka Blu" just before their theater is bombed. While Greta, the leading lady (Senta Berger), is being romanced by Milan's Chief of Police (Erland Josephson), a right-wing terrorist group that supports Mussolini is planning to bomb the opera's theater and blame it on Communists. Success means that the local government will have a good excuse to give free rein to the fascists and indirectly help Mussolini come to power.
