When Charlotte's cello is broken, she is given a new one by a mysterious old man. Her already brilliant playing becomes even more extraordinary and she is invited to play before the conductor, Vladimir Ashkenazy and the principal cello and concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. They identify her instrument as "The lost Amati" which is said to hold an amazing secret. But Charlotte must survive great dangers before the secret is revealed and Charlotte can play at the Opera House with the SSO.