Vitalis was an old Italian street entertainer who traveled throughout France. He was the leader of the Vitalis troupe. Mr. Vitalis had a monkey (Joli-Coeur) and three dogs (Capi, Dolce and Zerbino). He was great in playing the violin. Vitalis was a very kind person. He, together with his animals, saved Remi after the 10-year old girl was sold by her foster father, Jerome Barberin to the evil slave trader Pollinel. The old entertainer took Remi and treated her like his own daughter. Impressed by Remi's singing talent, Vitalis included Remi as one of the members of his troupe. When Vitalis found out that Remi doesn't go to school, he taught her to read and write.