These past couple of weeks has seen lots of news about the dueling pair of Snow White films that are racing to theaters next year. But they’re not the only pair of competing similarly-themed projects we might be seeing in theaters next year, as there are currently two different bio-pics focusing on the life of Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi in pre-production with directors Boris Damast and Patrica Riggen racing to get there first.
A Roman Catholic priest as well as a composer, Vivaldi is perhaps best remembered for his series of violin concertos collectively known as “The Four Seasons.”
Set to start shooting in September, Damast’s film will focus on how the composer organized a group of illegitimate daughters of courtesans into an orchestra that would eventually play for the pope. Damast co-wrote the screenplay with Jeffrey Freedman and Claire Foy (Season Of The Witch) and Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) attached to star while Neve Campbell, Jacqueline Bisset, Elle Fanning, Tom Wilkinson, Alfred Molina and Sebastian Koch are in negotiations for various roles. Photography will take place on locations in Venice, Hungary, Germany and Bruges.
Riggen’ version of the composer’s life is reported to focus more on Vivaldi being torn betweenhis priestly vows and devotion to music and the woman he loves. It isn’t as far along as Damast’s project although it has secured approximately $3 million in production subsidies from assorted German regional funds. It also has lined up as possible cast members Jessica Biel, Ben Kingsley, Luke Evans and violinist David Garret. There is no projected start date for the project however.
