The film tells the story of the life of Leutars, traveling musicians and singers who lived in Moldova
Part 1
The life of the Leutars is not easy. They have no right to choose their wife from decent families or to be buried in the same cemetery as believers. They are always the target of harassment from the gendarmes who pursue them to extort money from them and kick them out. It is in these circumstances of perpetual humiliation that the Leoutars will accompany in music their popular protector Rada Negostine who agrees to become a slave to free her brother taken hostage. The leader of the Leoutars, Toma Alistar, remembers his love for the gypsy Lanka, his only love, and their failed attempt to tear the young girl from the grip of her parents who were against her marriage to him, the Moldavian Leoutar.
Part 2
Toma's father knew that the Leoutars had been cursed and broke his son's first violin. But he could not change his destiny. Having heard Toma playing the violin at the music master's, Alexei Baturin persuaded the boyar to let the young man go abroad with him. Having captivated the foreign audience with his virtuosity, Toma returns home and learns that Lanka has been forced to marry a wealthy Hungarian gypsy. Toma will search for his beloved all his life. Before his death he gives his violin to the youngest Leutar, Dineget. And old Lanka weeps as she listens to the emotion with which he plays Toma Alistar's song.
