Review by Booklist Review
Constable's debut novel chronicles the rise of Anna Maria della Pietà, a Venetian orphan living at the Ospedale della Pietà (a convent, orphanage, and music school) and student of violinist and eminent baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. Primary source material is scarce for the real Anna Maria, and the novel fits squarely into the "writing women into history" camp, with Constable shifting credit for Vivaldi's most famous compositions onto Anna Maria and her fellow musicians of the Ospedale della Pietà's all-girl orchestra. A virtuoso the instant she picks up a violin at age eight, Anna Maria knows she's "destined for greatness." A synesthete as well as arrogant and unscrupulous, Anna Maria is willing to sacrifice anything, including her closest friendships, in her obsession to become a maestro. Vivaldi is devious and self-serving, building his career on Anna Maria's talent and passing off her compositions as his own. The language is modern, and the plot is peppered with famous cameos, from Casanova to Catherine the Great. Venice of the period and the Ospedale provide an interesting setting for this feminist reimagining of Vivaldi and his star pupil.
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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Constable's mellifluous debut draws on the life of composer Anna Maria della Pietà (1696--1782), an orphan who became a violin prodigy at the age of eight and was tutored by Antonio Vivaldi. Raised at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, Anna Maria dreams of becoming the youngest member of the orphanage's renowned orchestra. She's learned to play the flute and the oboe, but she finds her calling when she hears the violin. Sure enough, her new teacher, the virtuoso Vivaldi, sees promise in Anna Maria's playing. When she's 13, he invites her to collaborate with him. Anna Maria says she's been thinking about writing a piece about spring, which gives Vivaldi the idea for his Four Seasons concerti. By the time Anna Maria is 17, she chafes at Vivaldi's insistence on keeping her contributions secret. When she claims she's destined for greatness as a composer in her own right, Vivaldi belittles her. Anna Maria then leaves the orphanage in a huff, and struggles to survive after pawning a necklace and living in a hovel. Constable richly portrays the city's opulence and its seedy underside, and she charms in her portrayal of her fiery young protagonist. This will appeal to fans of historicals with strong female leads. (Aug.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Narrator Emilia Clarke channels the intensity of journalist and filmmaker Constable's atmospheric debut, charting the life and legacy of composer and virtuoso violinist Anna Maria della Pietà (1696--1782). Anna Maria was raised in Venice's Ospedale della Pietà, a convent and orphanage known for producing exemplary musicians through its world-renowned music school. Anna Maria shows promise in flute, oboe, and pianoforte, but when she encounters the violin, it is clear that she has found her calling. The school's new teacher, Antonio Vivaldi, recognizes Anna Maria's talent, and as he alternately pushes her, praises her, and uses her as a muse, her talent grows. Clarke exquisitely captures the nuances of life in the orphanage, where ambition mingles with dread, and opportunity offers both joy and devastation. Clarke's portrayal of Anna Maria hits all the right notes, communicating her fierce determination, pleasure in her own abilities, and the shame she feels in leaving her friends behind. Anna Maria's rage when she understands Vivaldi's self-serving acts of betrayal is incandescent, and the descriptions of her glorious music are pure poetry. VERDICT This gorgeously narrated, woman-centered reimagining of a spectacularly gifted musician crackles with energy, emotion, and longing. Highly recommended.--Sarah Hashimoto
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