Variety reports that HBO has ordered a pilot for a new period drama about musical prodigies titled "Virtuoso". The project is from "True Blood" creator Alan Ball, along with Elton John and David Furnish.

According to the report, the drama will be set in 18th century Vienna, and will center on "a class of musicians from all across Europe at the prestigious Academy of Musical Excellence." "True Blood's Peter Macdissi is set to star and serve as executive producer, along with Ball, Elton, David and Steve Hamilton Shaw. Macdissi, Shaw and Ball will write the pilot.

The cast of musical students will include Alex Lawther ("The Imitation Game's") as Battista; Francois Civil ("Rosemary's Baby") as Isidoro; Nico Mirallegro (BBC's "Upstairs Downstairs") as Franz; LINDSAY Farris as Heinrich; and actress Iva Babic as Leonid.

Ball's feature credits also include Towelhead and American Beauty. Production is set to get underway this spring in Budapest.

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