The Instrumentalist

De: Harriet Constable

Narrado por: Emilia Clarke

Music, intoxication, and betrayal combine in this “immersive, impassioned” (The Guardian) debut novel inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pietà, a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi and ultimately became his star musician—and his biggest muse.

“The Instrumentalist is more than a history lesson—with this novel, Constable has crafted an engrossing tale about an unexpected coup de musique.” —The New York Times

Anna Maria della Pietà was destined to drown in one of Venice’s canals. Instead, she became the greatest violinist of the 18th century.

Anna Maria has only known life inside the Pietà, an orphanage for children born of prostitutes. But the girls of the Pietà are lucky in a sense: most babies born of their station were drowned in the city’s canals. And despite the strict rules, the girls are given singing and music lessons from an early age. The most promising musicians have the chance to escape the fate of the rest: forced marriage to anyone who will have them.

Anna Maria is determined to be the best violinist there is—and whatever Anna Maria sets out to do, she achieves. After all, the stakes for Anna could not be higher. But it is 1704 and she is a girl. The pursuit of her ambition will test everything she holds dear, especially when it becomes clear that her instructor, Antonio Vivaldi, will teach Anna everything he knows—but not without taking something in return.

From the opulent palaces of Venice to its mud-licked canals, The Instrumentalist is a “searing portrait of ambition and betrayal” (Elizabeth MacNeal, author of The Doll Factory). It is the story of one woman’s irrepressible ambition and rise to the top. It is also the story of the orphans of Venice who overcame destitution and abuse to make music, and whose contributions to some of the most important works of classical music, including “The Four Seasons,” have been overlooked for too long.

For fans of The Queen’s Gambit and Fingersmith, The Instrumentalist is an “enthralling, passionate, vivid” (Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies) exploration of art and ambition, genius and exploitation, and loss and triumph.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Narrator Emilia Clarke uses a soft voice and a crisp British accent interspersed with fluid Italian phrases for this story of music in early-eighteenth-century Venice...In a vibrant voice Clarke describes the rigorous life the orphans endure and the ceaseless practice and pressure imposed on Anna Maria to perform her music flawlessly. Based on the real-life Anna Marie, who is considered Vivaldi’s muse, this story will haunt listeners long after it’s finished."

Descriptive and mesmerizing

The eloquence of the author’s descriptions of feelings, sights, music and situations was impressive. A work of art. I loved learning about this part of history that, without this book, may not have been brought to light.

BEAUTIFUL- Must Read

This book is written so beautifully! The narrator makes the words come alive! An absolute must read!

Beautifully written. Truly inspirational

The writer was able to vividly describe this story utilizing historical time when women were not valued especially women with disabilities or deformities. As I listened to this story I was transported back in time, I could actually see the beautiful colors as the music was being produced. Awesome book .

Beautiful

Beautifully written informative and memorable
The reader was exceptional. Thoroughly enjoyed this story

Exceptional and belived

Fabulous

I loved this book. The performance is outstanding. I recommend you to read a NPR interview with the author.