Vitalis first appears as a nomadic street performer traversing 19th-century France with a troupe of three dogs—Capi, Dolce, and Zerbino—and a monkey, Joli-Coeur, sustaining himself through musical and theatrical displays. He assumes guardianship of Remi after the boy is sold by his foster father, integrating him into their itinerant life. Later revelations expose his identity as Carlo Barzani (or Balzani), a once-celebrated Italian opera singer who abandoned his career when an illness eroded his voice, adopting the pseudonym Vitalis to conceal his shame over this downfall.

Though outwardly austere, Vitalis harbors profound empathy, especially toward Remi, whom he mentors as a paternal figure. He instructs the boy in reading, music, and practical survival, cultivating trust and mutual devotion that contrasts with Remi’s earlier instability. His protective instincts drive him to confront the abusive caretaker Garofoli, securing Remi’s safety at the cost of his own life when exposure to a snowstorm claims him during a desperate search for shelter.

After his death, characters recount Vitalis’s hidden history as an influential artist whose artistry inspired audiences, juxtaposed with his private struggle to reconcile his faded glory and failing health. His humility and deliberate anonymity amplify the tragedy of his unacknowledged legacy. His passing forces Remi to confront autonomy, armed with the skills and ethics imparted by his mentor.

Mrs. Milligan observes Vitalis’s inherent decency, noting his compassion and moral rigor despite his vagabond existence. His tender bond with his animal troupe—loyal companions and emblems of fleeting yet profound bonds formed on the road—further illustrates his quiet gentleness, framing a life defined by resilience, sacrifice, and unspoken dignity.