A Casa do Saltimbanco

Adalberto grows up surrounded by the gentle splendor of a Normandy countryside estate, where rolling fields, fragrant gardens, and a maze of lilacs and clematis become his playground. A bright, painted boat glides across a tranquil lake, while a lively menagerie of cows, horses, sheep, chickens and ducks fills the air with chatter and rustle. Overseeing this lively world is Aunt Barru, the steady “queen” of the household, whose humor is only rattled by a drunken servant or a mischievous hen.

Within this ordered haven, Adalberto shares his days with his older brothers Eugenio and Frederico and his sweet sister Camilla, whose games of checkers and gentle teasing stitch the family together. Their routine is marked by the rhythmic toll of two clocks—one hanging in the vestibule, the other the animated “Rosinha” that climbs the stairs—reminding everyone of the balance between work, study, and play. As the brothers prepare to leave for college, the idyllic rhythm of Valneige hints at the subtle shifts that lie ahead.