Critical Reviews of the Four Season a Novel of Vivaldis Venice by Laurel Corona

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 · 1,567 ratings  · 205 reviews

Start your review of The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi's Venice

November 28, 2008 Sharon rated it it was amazing

This is, beyond a doubt, one of the best written historical novels I have ever read. Laurel Corona paints a vivid portrait of 17th and 18th century Venetian life, examining the roles of women in gild and in the ospedale (orphanages) that earned their money from womens' choruses and orchestras. Using the premise of two sisters left to the ospedale, each choosing a unlike path, makes an interesting contrast between the 2 realms. Maddalena, a gifted violinist, chooses to remain in the clois This is, across a doubt, 1 of the best written historical novels I have ever read. Laurel Corona paints a bright portrait of 17th and 18th century Venetian life, examining the roles of women in social club and in the ospedale (orphanages) that earned their coin from womens' choruses and orchestras. Using the premise of two sisters left to the ospedale, each choosing a different path, makes an interesting contrast between the ii realms. Maddalena, a gifted violinist, chooses to remain in the cloistered life of the ospedale and so that she may continue to work with the brilliant priest/composer Antonio Vivaldi. Chiaretta, a bright vocalizer, chooses spousal relationship to escape the curtilage, even though information technology ways she is not to sing in public again.

Corona has carefully researched the period's music, social mores, architecture, government and so on. Her careful attention to detail brings this distant and very unlike world to life and draws the reader into it every bit though one is present with her characters. The musicality of her prose is ideal for describing the earth in which Vivaldi composed.

Highly recommended to fans of the genre, classical music afficionados, and those interested in womens' history.

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Dec 28, 2015 Kamilla rated it really liked information technology

It took me a while to finish this book. Not because information technology's bad, but because it's then rich in detail.
The title is a tad misleading though. The volume is about the lives of two sisters, Vivaldi is merely a supporting cast fellow member. Then if someone picks this book up hoping to immerse him/herself in Vivaldi's life, will sorely exist disappointed. Instead, the story draws a historically accurate picture of life in Venice in the 1700s - especially in the Pieta, the orphanage, where the two sisters terminate upward.
Both ma Information technology took me a while to finish this book. Not because it's bad, merely considering it's so rich in particular.
The championship is a tad misleading though. The volume is about the lives of two sisters, Vivaldi is simply a supporting cast member. And so if someone picks this book upward hoping to immerse him/herself in Vivaldi's life, will sorely be disappointed. Instead, the story draws a historically accurate picture of life in Venice in the 1700s - especially in the Pieta, the orphanage, where the two sisters end upward.
Both main characters are well drawn and vastly dissimilar. Maddelena is quiet, contemplative, for whom music is life. Chiaretta is bouncy, vivacious, fun loving with a voice of an angel. We run into their lives unfold through both of their optics and their widely dissimilar perspectives give spice to the otherwise dull and factual story.
I did love the volume, the ending made me weep. I've found life in Venice in those days fascinating, peculiarly married life.
A worthy read - though do non wait for Vivaldi'due south breakout moment. This book is not about him. Just two girs who try to find pregnant in their lives. ...more

Mar 23, 2009 Karen rated information technology it was amazing

I read this book in ii days - a pretty adept measurement of how much I enjoyed this book!

Every bit a music major, I spent some time studying Vivaldi. I knew he was nicknamed the Cherry Priest (due to his fiery red hair), he wasn't the most chaste priest, he was a violin virtuoso and wrote some extraoridnarily beautiful and intense music. I knew he worked and wrote music for an Venetian orphanage for girls - but this book describes Vivaldi's Venice in such an interestingly detailed mode.

Corona tells the sto

I read this book in two days - a pretty skilful measurement of how much I enjoyed this book!

As a music major, I spent some time studying Vivaldi. I knew he was nicknamed the Ruddy Priest (due to his fiery red pilus), he wasn't the near chaste priest, he was a violin virtuoso and wrote some extraoridnarily beautiful and intense music. I knew he worked and wrote music for an Venetian orphanage for girls - but this volume describes Vivaldi'due south Venice in such an interestingly detailed way.

Corona tells the story of two sisters who abound up in the Ospidale della Pieta (the orphanage where Vivialdi worked). I idea it was such an intriguing option - to tell the story (though the writer took many liberties with her imagination and twisted some facts)surrounding the orphans' lives. And the detail of Venetian traditions and protocol of the time was very interesting. I likewise enjoyed Corona's description of Vivaldi's music.

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February 27, 2021 Lindsey rated it really liked it

This was a book less nigh Vivaldi and more about the civilisation of Venice as told through two orphan sisters, Maddalena and Chiaretta. These girls were dropped off at the Pieta, an all-female orphanage defended to raising musicians to entertain the Venetian public. The girls have a future as a music teacher, consignment to a convent or as a married woman, if they are lucky enough to concenter attending from a male gentleman. Chiaretta, as a vocalist, does gain the favor of a Venetian nobleman and enters Venet This was a volume less about Vivaldi and more than about the culture of Venice as told through 2 orphan sisters, Maddalena and Chiaretta. These girls were dropped off at the Pieta, an all-female orphanage defended to raising musicians to entertain the Venetian public. The girls take a future as a music teacher, consignment to a convent or as a wife, if they are lucky enough to attract attending from a male admirer. Chiaretta, as a vocalist, does gain the favor of a Venetian nobleman and enters Venetian high social club. Her naiveté provided a good illustration every bit to how dissolute club was-male companions were expected for married women and mistresses were standard even in a loving wedlock. In that location were some tidbits well-nigh Vivaldi as he came in and out of the story every bit the Pieta's music master merely what I found most interesting nigh him was in the writer's note at the end-that his music faded into obscurity until it was rediscovered in the 1930s. ...more than

Jun 02, 2011 Sarah rated it actually liked it

This is a story set up in the age of Venice when music and art were everywhere. 2 sisters, Maddalena and Chiaretta, are abased by their mother to the Pietà, 1 of four orphanages for girls in Venice. The pair are raised behind closed doors, with Maddalena equally a violin prodigy and Chiaretta equally an astounding singer. All the same, beyond the music, the sisters are as different as black and white. Chiaretta is cute, approachable, and longs to detect a life outside the walls of the Pietà where she'll be This is a story set up in the age of Venice when music and art were everywhere. Two sisters, Maddalena and Chiaretta, are abandoned by their mother to the Pietà, 1 of 4 orphanages for girls in Venice. The pair are raised behind airtight doors, with Maddalena every bit a violin prodigy and Chiaretta as an phenomenal vocalist. Still, across the music, the sisters are every bit different equally black and white. Chiaretta is cute, outgoing, and longs to find a life outside the walls of the Pietà where she'll be admired and surrounded past finery. Maddalena is introspective, a bang-up lover of losing herself in music, and lives only to play her violin and be with her sis. When the ruby-red priest , Vivaldi, becomes one of the instructors, he and Maddalena grade an instantaneous attachment to each other through the music, and though their relationship cannot proceed beyond anything else, they begin to form a bond that will terminal until death. Chiaretta works to become the premier vocalist of the Pietà, to protect her sister, and to find happiness wherever she can.

It'southward hard to tell if this is a story about Maddalena, Chiaretta, Vivaldi, or the music itself. The unabridged novel is written like a musical number – points and counterpoints, the stories of the sisters' stories playing off of each other and intermingling with that of Vivaldi's as he becomes inspired and works on his greatest compositions in "The Four Seasons." We are immune to see events unfold from both the indicate of view of Chiaretta, and of Maddalena. Each one faces her hopes, her goals, her reality, her love for someone else, and overall the necessity for music in their life.

The gorgeous thing about this story is that you need not know a single thing about music in order to feel the melody of this story. You lot can sense the great love of music, and impossibly beautiful music at that, which each of the characters holds within them. Whether they are heartbroken or uplifted, the music is ever there aslope them – bringing them closer to each other or to God. This novel is equally much a testament to the pristine power of the written note as it is to the written word.

If you couldn't tell, I loved this book. I appreciated that it was more than a story of ii orphaned sisters growing up, and more a love story. Information technology was more a book nearly the composition of a bang-up piece of music and more than than a forbidden romance. The combination of all these put then flawlessly together was an impressive work itself, and I highly recommend this novel.

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Jun 21, 2010 Djrmel rated it information technology was ok

I'm taking away a whole star for using Vivaldi'due south proper name in the championship when he's only a reoccurring supporting character in the story. The theme of the story, how art can shape lives as much equally lives shape art, is shown through the lives of two sisters, orphaned every bit infants and raised within the very interesting patronage arrangement that made Venice the art center that it once was. As a romance, there's a distinct lack of any kind of passion, merely the setting, as a HF, is pretty well done. There's a sense I'm taking away a whole star for using Vivaldi's proper name in the championship when he's just a reoccurring supporting character in the story. The theme of the story, how fine art tin can shape lives as much as lives shape art, is shown through the lives of ii sisters, orphaned every bit infants and raised inside the very interesting patronage organization that made Venice the art center that it once was. As a romance, there'due south a singled-out lack of any kind of passion, but the setting, every bit a HF, is pretty well done. At that place's a sense of receptiveness with the descriptive passages, a trouble when your entire story takes place in what was a very insular, small-scale town kind of city. I had the feeling that the idea for the story came first and that Corona invented characters to populate it - they weren't nearly as dimensional every bit the orphanage, casas, and of course, this beingness Venice, the canals. ...more

Dec 29, 2012 Katie rated information technology really liked information technology

I loved this book, it was so interesting and it takes you right from your couch and transports you lot to Venice. There was so much well-nigh the civilisation during the time that I did not know and it was weaved into this story beautifully and tastefully. A lot of historical fiction works go bogged downward with sordid details and this book did none of that, which doesn't mean that it was at all a wearisome read. Information technology was so well written and I was enthralled from page one till the terminal line. I also loved all the d I loved this volume, it was and so interesting and it takes you correct from your couch and transports y'all to Venice. There was then much near the culture during the fourth dimension that I did non know and it was weaved into this story beautifully and tastefully. A lot of historical fiction works go bogged down with sordid details and this book did none of that, which doesn't mean that it was at all a ho-hum read. It was so well written and I was enthralled from folio ane till the terminal line. I also loved all the details about the life of Vivaldi and his works, I went correct to my estimator and listened to The 4 Seasons (which is breathtaking). Def worth your time! ...more

April 17, 2009 Candace rated it it was ok

I wish I could say I enjoyed this book. Vivaldi is my favorite composer. But as I read this novel, the characters, Maddelena and Chiaretta, felt flat to me. They took besides long to develop. Though, in honesty, their love of their musical craft came through bright and clear. Within the beginning three capacity I read, there was no believable motivation forming, that I could decide, to assistance carry the book with the characters. The motivation for the plot must come later on in the novel. Regrettably, I I wish I could say I enjoyed this book. Vivaldi is my favorite composer. Merely every bit I read this novel, the characters, Maddelena and Chiaretta, felt apartment to me. They took too long to develop. Though, in honesty, their love of their musical craft came through bright and clear. Within the first three chapters I read, there was no believable motivation forming, that I could determine, to help carry the volume with the characters. The motivation for the plot must come later in the novel. Regrettably, I returned the volume to the library without finishing information technology. ...more

This book is quite like the composition in the title; there are individual parts that are unpleasant, withal when looked at as a whole, it is a masterpiece. A tapestry. Beautiful. That is the beauty of looking at things from a distance; you come across the big motion picture because you're not focusing on all the fiddling flaws, scrutinizing every little detail. This volume is quite similar the composition in the title; there are individual parts that are unpleasant, yet when looked at as a whole, information technology is a masterpiece. A tapestry. Beautiful. That is the beauty of looking at things from a distance; you meet the big picture because you're not focusing on all the picayune flaws, scrutinizing every little particular. ...more

Mar 31, 2019 Wendy rated it liked information technology

Detail-oriented historical fiction illustrating the patronage organization of 18th century Venice, a world I didn't know much about. Vivaldi isn't much more than than a cameo character in this story of ii orphaned musician sisters, merely information technology was a lovely immersive read regardless.

Jul 07, 2014 Stef rated it liked information technology

I rescued this book from the trash when I was assessing the collection at my library. Hadn't gone out in a couple of years, but had been part of that big popular boom in biographical novels a couple years back. The idea that this novel focused on the life of Antonio Vivaldi defenseless my eye and I decided to read it instead of withdraw it.

The Four Seasons is such an iconic slice of music, used in DeBeers diamond commercials for as long as I can remember. Who was the genius that composed that piece?

I rescued this book from the trash when I was assessing the drove at my library. Hadn't gone out in a couple of years, but had been part of that big popular boom in biographical novels a couple years back. The idea that this novel focused on the life of Antonio Vivaldi caught my center and I decided to read information technology instead of withdraw information technology.

The Four Seasons is such an iconic piece of music, used in DeBeers diamond commercials for equally long as I tin remember. Who was the genius that equanimous that piece? Who were the players to first tease out the notes until they swelled into life?

Laurel Corona recreates the urban center of Venice in the early 1700s and the Ospedale della Pieta, office convent, orphanage, and music school. The two main characters, Chiaretta and Maddalena, sisters who were left in the care of the Pieta'southward sisters and raised to become singular musicians. The story initially focuses on Maddalena's honey of the violin and her apparent natural gift for playing it. Through the violin she meets Antonio Vivaldi: priest, composer, asthmatic, teacher and something more. Betwixt Maddalena and Vivaldi a connection sparks. They human activity nigh as if a married couple, but Vivaldi uses the Pieta to make coin for his compositions and disappears ofttimes to different Italian opera houses for better commissions. Maddalena is tormented by her feelings for Vivaldi and his seemingly draconian behavior towards her. Later in the novel the focus switches to Chiaretta and her singing. It is her breathtaking soprano that leads her into a spousal relationship with ane of the wealthiest and powerful families in Venice. She is the one that pushes her sis's career forward and encourages music performances at her new villa.

The sisters' lives are inextricably linked with music and with Vivaldi, just this novel is really nigh the lives of the two women and not the composer. However, the authro jumps between big sections of the women's lives that I felt their story was asunder. The sections of the book are more similar a piece of art, showing only certain sections of a lifetime. I really liked the characters and wished there had been more meat to their lives. The setting that Corona describes is incredibly detailed and brings Venice live on the pages. My biggest event with this volume was how awkward and childish discussions of sex and menstruation felt. I call back the writer was trying to mimic the uncertainty and awkwardness of this flow in a adult female'south life, simply the linguistic communication was stilted and made reading these passages seem very silly. Information technology broke me away from the story.

If you really enjoy the creative biographical novels I would definitely suggest anything by Susan Vreeland or Tracey Chevalier. These types of novels tend to be focuses mainly on female person figures or tangentially female characters rather than men, but the stories are solidly written and entertaining.

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Apr 28, 2010 Antof9 rated information technology liked information technology

Finished this 1 tonight at my mom's, in Arab, Alabama.

It was fascinating and confusing, both. Confusing in the same way books like The Other Boleyn Sister confuse me. Basically, I don't know which is fact and which is fiction, and it bugs me! It makes me fearfulness for historical accurateness in the reading public. Or mayhap the not-reading public. On the other manus, they don't intendance ...

There were some things so specific and clearly described that I felt similar I was there. When the girls first came to the

Finished this one tonight at my mom's, in Arab, Alabama.

It was fascinating and confusing, both. Confusing in the aforementioned manner books like The Other Boleyn Sister confuse me. Basically, I don't know which is fact and which is fiction, and it bugs me! It makes me fear for historical accuracy in the reading public. Or maybe the non-reading public. On the other mitt, they don't care ...

There were some things then specific and clearly described that I felt like I was there. When the girls first came to the Pieta, some of the diseases, and some of the music, specially. Simply so other parts were broadly glossed over and made me lose a little scrap of interest. I suppose part of that is based on the things the author can and can't actually research.

I loved the human relationship between the sisters. I didn't so much like the historic period jumps. Just when I was getting into an era, there would be a leap in time that bothered me enough that I would go back and read the finish of the previous era slower. hmmm ...

Having been to Venice, I thought this would feel more than Venice-like, to me. Merely other than the gondoliers and using gondolas equally taxis (which wasn't much), I felt like this could have taken identify really in any city in Italy. Well, any culture middle, I suppose.

As much as I honey Vivaldi's piece of work, I was a bit disappointed in him every bit a man. Perhaps I shouldn't have read this ... but that'southward oftentimes the style with great artists. It seems as if ane can't be a truly peachy artist without being but a little nutty. We telephone call that The Val Kilmer Effect in our house. The guy is truly a gifted player (not so much in this decade, but...), and he'south also a chip off his rocker. Really.

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Jun 02, 2014 Terry rated it liked information technology

This historical novel's setting is 18th century Venice. 2 sisters are abandoned and and so taken in by a foundling hospital/musical academy. Chiaretta is a bit rebellious, but beautiful and grows to become a much sought-later on singer. She marries into a very wealthy family. Her sis, Maddalena, becomes a magnificent violin thespian, taught on occasion by Antonio Vivaldi. She does not leave the academy. There is a mutual attraction between she and Vivaldi, simply they do not act upon it. I see the "f This historical novel'south setting is 18th century Venice. 2 sisters are abandoned and then taken in past a foundling hospital/musical university. Chiaretta is a bit rebellious, but beautiful and grows to become a much sought-after vocalist. She marries into a very wealthy family. Her sister, Maddalena, becomes a magnificent violin role player, taught on occasion by Antonio Vivaldi. She does not go out the academy. At that place is a mutual attraction between she and Vivaldi, but they exercise not human action upon it. I run across the "four seasons" as a metaphor for the character'south lives.

The author has taken great care to inquiry the times and Vivaldi, and thus I learned more about this particular identify and time, which was very interesting. Venetian society at that time seemed to be a little different in numerous ways. Reading was a scrap irksome-going at first, simply I eventually gave up trying to remember all the Italian/Latin words (in that location is a Glossary and Pronunciation Guide in the back)and then I was able to get into the story.

There was a detail regarding an ivory comb, broken into three pieces by the girl'southward mother, which I thought would have played an interesting part later in the story, only it really did non. By the end, I realized I had been expecting some sort of dramatic climax, but there wasn't one; just the stories of the lives of the characters.

I read this novel as a book club selection, and I likely would non have chosen it on my ain. I do recommend information technology to others however, peculiarly those who might savor the setting.

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December 28, 2008 Amy rated it liked it

Sacred music is a huge part of my life-- I sing in a church choir that is becoming very well known for our renditions of some of the motets of the masters. It was interesting for me to hear the works of Vivaldi that are mentioned in this book-- they became the musical accessory to the prose I was reading and the images being painted by the words.

Though the story intrigued me, and the lives the two sisters each led, together and separately, I constitute the pace of this book somewhat uneven. And b

Sacred music is a huge part of my life-- I sing in a church building choir that is condign very well known for our renditions of some of the motets of the masters. It was interesting for me to hear the works of Vivaldi that are mentioned in this book-- they became the musical accessory to the prose I was reading and the images being painted by the words.

Though the story intrigued me, and the lives the two sisters each led, together and separately, I institute the stride of this book somewhat uneven. And because of that, I felt that too much had been jammed together towards the end-- as if the author tired of the tale, or maybe the editor hacked out a huge hunk of writing to go along product costs downwards. However, I did, overall, like the book, and like the little side journeying it enabled me to take to Venice of Vivialdi's day. (I have to say that whenever I read about the intricacies of Venetian order, I give thanks my lucky stars I am a 20th/21st century girl. I wouldn't have done well, I think, with all the rules and norms and restrictions of the time. But then again, I probably would have been bars to the ghetto, or condemned as a witch, considering of my love of herb lore, so who knows. Maybe I would accept done simply fine!

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May 04, 2014 Maggie Anton rated it information technology was astonishing

I not merely enjoyed this novel, merely like all good historicals, I learned a lot about a fourth dimension and place that I knew nothing about. I read this book considering my male parent, gone now for 5 years, loved Vivaldi'due south "The Four Seasons" and the music was part of my childhood background. But I found information technology fascinating to discover that in 17th-century Venice, bastard daughters of the nobility [from their courtesans] were raised in convent-like music academies, merely they were not sworn to poverty or chastity. Corona's I not only enjoyed this novel, but like all skilful historicals, I learned a lot about a time and identify that I knew nada about. I read this book because my begetter, gone now for v years, loved Vivaldi'southward "The Four Seasons" and the music was part of my childhood background. Just I establish it fascinating to discover that in 17th-century Venice, bastard daughters of the nobility [from their courtesans] were raised in convent-like music academies, but they were not sworn to poverty or guiltlessness. Corona's writing totally brings this obscure civilisation to life, made even more interesting by its female pov. ...more than

Oct 27, 2008 Linda rated information technology liked it

Two orphaned sisters, raised at the Pieta in Venice, become great musicians and interact with composer Antonio Vivaldi. Good story but a bit as well slow.

Jun 04, 2018 A.Yard.Yard. ☮Hippie/Fantasia☮ rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Anyone with a passion for Venice

Rating: 3.5 / five (rounded downward to 3)

One of the things that I take to requite the author credit for in this book is that the descriptions of Venice truly are vivid and historically authentic. The canals, the Carnivale, the guild, the people, the expectations, etc. are all appropriate to an early 17th century Venice, such as it would have been during Vivaldi's time there. Past far, it is what I believe to be the near commendable part of this book.

Apart from that, withal, I found the read itself only a

Rating: 3.v / 5 (rounded down to 3)

One of the things that I have to give the author credit for in this volume is that the descriptions of Venice truly are vivid and historically accurate. The canals, the Carnivale, the society, the people, the expectations, etc. are all advisable to an early 17th century Venice, such every bit it would take been during Vivaldi's time there. Past far, it is what I believe to be the about commendable role of this volume.

Apart from that, however, I found the read itself only a little above average, with the characters of Chiaretta and Maddalena as charming, but not exactly anything special. The story of the ii sisters and the dissimilar paths they take is harmless plenty as far as reads go, but ultimately, it'south just the tale of each woman trying to fit into her respective environment--for Maddalena, it's accustoming herself to a spinster's life inside the Pieta, and for Chiaretta, it'south plumbing fixtures into the more debauched Venetian guild of the time. Both sisters take a passion for music, and this is expressed, but at the same fourth dimension, so much of it ends upwards being suppressed for descriptions of their surroundings, that the city itself takes precedence over the characters of the novel.

The character of Vivaldi himself, I was disappointed with. Categorized every bit the singular frustrated maestro genius who doesn't have the patience, tolerance, or understanding of all the incompetent people around him who don't sympathize his music, a human who'due south constantly swearing in Latin and pushes himself besides far in working, I think that Vivaldi represented as such on behalf of the author is only because it is her "safest bet" in presenting one of the nigh famous composers in history that fashion. Simply, again, information technology's nothing special.

The story itself is just mildly interesting, with a few moments that I enjoyed here and there, simply overall, not enough to have me reading until the end with whatever amount of interest. I feel that if the author really wanted to make something grander of this, she could have, if just she'd taken more risks and put more heart into her story. As it is, there is little here beyond a historical essay on Venice and the Carnivale, in my opinion. Having dropped out of a form that was pedagogy most Venice in its history and geography, I retrieve that whatsoever bystander tin can conclude why I didn't enjoy this volume as much as I'd hoped to.

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Jan 03, 2018 A.J. rated information technology liked it

Recommends it for: Anyone who enjoys period pieces

Recommended to A.J. past: No one

Started: 3/27/12
Finished: iii/31/12

25 chapters/389 pages

First let me brainstorm this review by proverb that I read this book back in 2012. However, afterward I read a volume, I always try to write out my feelings on the story when I finish. Sometimes, I'm moved to write a great deal to blazon upwards later. Other times, I simply feel upwardly to writing a very basic review. I never intended for it to have me nearly 6 YEARS to go it on my GoodReads account, only information technology has. Obviously, by at present, I don't really call back much about

Started: 3/27/12
Finished: 3/31/12

25 capacity/389 pages

First let me brainstorm this review by proverb that I read this book back in 2012. Nonetheless, after I read a book, I always try to write out my feelings on the story when I cease. Sometimes, I'grand moved to write a groovy deal to blazon upwardly later. Other times, I just feel upward to writing a very basic review. I never intended for it to accept me near six YEARS to get information technology on my GoodReads account, just it has. Plain, by now, I don't really think much nigh the story, though sometimes my notes help jog my retention. So, if the post-obit review doesn't actually say much or deal likewise much with the story or plot, that's probably because I wasn't moved past ane or the other or both to write more than than I did. Yet, such as information technology is I requite to y'all.

My Review (modest spoiler alert below)—This wasn't a bad book, though it was a bit different, plot-wise. It's the story of 2 sisters, daughters of a "lady of the night," given over to a Venetian orphanage/Cosmic institution. The two are taught by Vivaldi—the older on the violin, the younger a gifted singer. The older falls in beloved with Vivaldi (and he falls for her) but remains a virgin, cloistered at the orphanage to teach other orphans how to play an instrument, giving back to others in the way in which Vivaldi had blessed her, in a sense "becoming" Vivaldi. (I guess it's a affair of, "Since I can't take him, I'll do the next best matter and take on his mantle, proving to him how much he afflicted me and how much I cherished all he did for me, taught me.")

The younger sister has a fleeting career with a choir affiliated with the orphanage. Through one operation, she gets offered marriage, which takes her out of the orphanage and abroad from her sister.

The story, itself, was okay. However, the ending was depressing.

My advice: Read the story, past all means. Only delight go along in mind, though it'south an okay read, information technology would be better to be prepared for a pitiful sendoff at the stop.

Grade: B+ (just considering the ending was so melancholy)

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I had read Vivaldi'due south Virgins a while agone that has many similarities with this book so as expectingly by reading it I made a comparison that probably does not piece of work in its favour. It is, of grade, quite expert and puts us somewhat in the mood of the time, with many references to the musical creation that was at its pinnacle, and of grade, follows from some distance the course of Antonio Vivaldi. The trouble is that the first element is somewhat limited, the reference to the musical creation is fragmen I had read Vivaldi's Virgins a while ago that has many similarities with this volume so as expectingly by reading it I made a comparing that probably does not work in its favour. It is, of course, quite skillful and puts usa somewhat in the mood of the fourth dimension, with many references to the musical creation that was at its peak, and of course, follows from some altitude the course of Antonio Vivaldi. The trouble is that the first element is somewhat limited, the reference to the musical creation is fragmentary and the presence of the great composer even smaller, which means that the title of the volume is rather misleading. This, of class, does not mean that those who appreciate this wonderful music will not find something interesting in its pages, information technology merely lacks what would give something more, a little more courage, although surely this story of the two sisters is quite interesting and touching.

Είχα διαβάσει πριν από λίγο καιρό το Vivaldi's Virgins που έχει πολλές ομοιότητες με αυτό οπότε αναμενόμενα διαβάζοντας το έκανα μία σύγκριση που μάλλον δεν βγαίνει υπέρ του. Είναι, βέβαια, αρκετά καλό και μας βάζει κάπως στο κλίμα της εποχής, με πολλές αναφορές για τη μουσική δημιουργία που ήταν στο απόγειο της, και φυσικά παρακολουθεί από κάποια απόσταση την πορεία του Αντόνιο Βιβάλντι. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι το πρώτο στοιχείο είναι κάπως περιορισμένο, η αναφορά στη μουσική δημιουργία είναι αποσπασματική και η παρουσία του μεγάλου συνθέτη ακόμα μικρότερη, κάτι που σημαίνει ότι είναι μάλλον παραπλανητικός ο τίτλος του βιβλίου. Αυτό, φυσικά, δεν σημαίνει ότι αυτοί που εκτιμούν αυτήν την υπέροχη μουσική δεν θα βρουν κάτι ενδιαφέρον μέσα στις σελίδες του, απλά λείπει αυτό που θα έδινε κάτι περισσότερο, λίγη περισσότερη τόλμη, αν και σίγουρα αυτή η ιστορία των δύο αδερφών είναι αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα και συγκινητική.

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The Four Seasons was an historical fiction centered effectually Vivaldi's Venice in the 18th century. Vivaldi was an Italian composer, nearly famous for his symphony The Four Seasons.

This book was rich in history, giving an insight into the life of a composer likewise every bit the metropolis which inspires him. Vivaldi'southward muse is a girl named Magdelena, who lived in a Pietà. She was orphaned as a girl with her sister, and finds a life of music within the Pietà, particularly catching the eye of Vivaldi with her passi

The Four Seasons was an historical fiction centered around Vivaldi'southward Venice in the 18th century. Vivaldi was an Italian composer, most famous for his symphony The Four Seasons.

This book was rich in history, giving an insight into the life of a composer equally well as the city which inspires him. Vivaldi's muse is a girl named Magdelena, who lived in a Pietà. She was orphaned as a girl with her sister, and finds a life of music within the Pietà, particularly catching the eye of Vivaldi with her passion at the violin. The writer gave such rich detail of the life of a girl inside the Pietà and the circumstances in how she tin leave such a place. At that place was as well the perspectives of the Italian nobility, who lay for the music Vivaldi writes.

Some other aspect I institute interesting is the way that adultery is viewed within Italian society during this time - men are expected to have a woman or two likewise their wife, and women are encouraged to have admirers who take them out every 24-hour interval and proceed them wooed and entertained. Information technology was a weird concept for me.

I will say I enjoyed the history of this volume. However, at that place was a lot of moments written solely in Italian and Latin, neither of which I speak. In that location is a glossary in the back, but it was a lot to flip back and forth to understand what I was reading. It did tiresome downwardly the pace of the book for me.

The relationships in this volume is what saved it for me. The sisters were beautifully shut, even when Chiaretta married into Italian nobility and left the Pietà. They supported each other throughout this volume and the trials they faced. The catastrophe was heartbreaking and I definitely cried, which is a new one for me.

I would still recommend this book, even with the slow pace and language barriers.

3.75 🌿

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3.five stars. When two young sisters are abandoned on the doorstep of the Pietà in Venice in 1695, they enter the intendance of an boggling institution: function foundling infirmary, office secular convent, and office conservatorio. The girls of the Pietà learn to love God through the medium of music, whether by playing an instrument or past singing in the weekly Masses, which draw admiring crowds to the chapel beyond the grille that prevents any of the performers being seen. And the soloists of the Pietà beco 3.five stars. When two young sisters are abandoned on the doorstep of the Pietà in Venice in 1695, they enter the intendance of an extraordinary institution: part foundling infirmary, office secular convent, and part conservatorio. The girls of the Pietà learn to dearest God through the medium of music, whether past playing an musical instrument or by singing in the weekly Masses, which draw admiring crowds to the chapel beyond the grille that prevents any of the performers being seen. And the soloists of the Pietà become stars, their talents equally well-known as any opera vocalizer's, fifty-fifty though they must remain screened away. Of these two abandoned sisters, i, the playful and exuberant Chiaretta, will turn out to have a vocalisation that wins her legions of admirers. The other, Maddalena, looks in vain for an instrument that sparks the inner core of her being. Only then she discovers the violin, at around the fourth dimension that the Pietà hires a young priest to help with giving lessons: a virtuoso violinist and budding composer with flaming red hair, named Antonio Vivaldi...

For the total review, please encounter my web log:
https://theidlewoman.cyberspace/2017/05/14/t...

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Jul thirty, 2020 Pam Brown rated it really liked it

Equally the title indicates, this is not a story of Vivaldi. It's actually non a story of Venice, either, merely of what life could be like for girls who were fostered by church institutions in Venice at the time of Vivaldi.

This is fair. The man was a wonder, and his story was interesting, but information technology's the girls' stories that take hold of the imagination. I can't imagine being a musical genius with a serious health problem. Merely I can imagine then many scenarios depending on who has talent or charm or looks, or who's

As the title indicates, this is not a story of Vivaldi. Information technology'due south actually non a story of Venice, either, only of what life could be like for girls who were fostered by church institutions in Venice at the time of Vivaldi.

This is off-white. The homo was a wonder, and his story was interesting, but it's the girls' stories that grab the imagination. I can't imagine being a musical genius with a serious health problem. Simply I can imagine and then many scenarios depending on who has talent or charm or looks, or who'due south drawn to glittery glamour, the musical magnificence, or simple security.

Ditch any y'all thought nigh orphanages if you based your assumptions on Oliver Twist. This would make a dandy movie, besides, with Vivaldi'south music sometimes as a centerpiece and sometimes in the background of the mind. You lot don't have to be a serious Vivaldi fan to be blest by a bit of his Four Seasons stuck in your head.

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Sep 22, 2017 Karen rated it liked it

I wish this book had been less ... hostage. The story of the immature sisters in what is essentially a musical orphanage is interesting, but the writer tries too hard to involve Vivaldi in their lives. Lots of angst, lots of melancholy. Corona conspicuously loves and understands music, and although she writes well nearly it the tempo and the key of the novel felt incorrect to my ear. It should have been paced like a piece of beautiful music.

May 27, 2020 Hannah rated it it was amazing

While reading the story, I would have probably opted for a 4-star review. But the afterword about how the story was really very historical (as opposed to my original conception of all the characters existence vague interpretations of people or completely made up in "Vivaldi's Venice") and could exist a feasible true story, I was completely sold.
10/10 to you Laurel Corona, you made it a perfect "it could be truthful" historical fiction story. While reading the story, I would have probably opted for a 4-star review. Only the afterword almost how the story was actually very historical (as opposed to my original conception of all the characters beingness vague interpretations of people or completely made upwardly in "Vivaldi'southward Venice") and could be a feasible true story, I was completely sold.
10/10 to you Laurel Corona, you lot fabricated it a perfect "information technology could be true" historical fiction story. ...more

Aug 02, 2021 Holly rated it liked it

This review has been hidden considering it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love all things Venice, so when I spotted this book in a used volume shop in Ellsworth, Maine, I had to buy it. I did enjoy information technology up to a indicate. Then information technology really went flat for me, the same issues over and over. And when the author killed off two of the characters nearly the cease of the book, information technology was like she was tired of the story and just concluded it. And what happens next? It seems at that place is a sequel just waiting to be written.

Feb 06, 2018 Margaret Cox rated it it was astonishing

Thoroughly enjoyed this book - historical fiction gear up in 18th century - the story of 2 sisters abandoned as babies at Venice'south foundling infirmary and musical academy and how their lives intertwined with that of Vivaldi. Venice is i of my favourite cities so I loved the properties. The facts that Vivaldi's piece of work did not become famous until the 20th century is mind extraordinary!

Jun 26, 2020 Julie rated it liked it

Informative and interesting merely not particularly engaging. I think I'd have preferred to read a properly researched history because it was hard to distinguish fact and fiction, and the fictional sections were so bland they might as well have been an bookish essay. But an interesting peek into a passage of women's history that is only recently coming to lite.

Jan 17, 2018 Jill Porter rated it it was amazing

What an interesting premise for a volume! I had no idea so many girls were placed in counseling hospitals or nunneries. This piece of music is my favorite and the beautiful descriptions of how the music felt was extraordinary!!

Fascinating historical enquiry on order in Venice in the early 18th Century, orphanages that trained women to exist musicians, and the life of Vivaldi that is incorporated into a novel about two sisters. Slightly foam puff story simply interesting enough to get to the end.

I have loved reading and writing ever since my older sister came home from offset grade to teach me what she had learned that twenty-four hours. My first publications were in the Oakland Tribune in a weekly section for children chosen "Aunt Elsie's Folio," and a newspaper I put out for my family which featured reviews of what I was reading and news about what was happening in the lives of my dolls.

I was lucky eno

I have loved reading and writing always since my older sister came dwelling from first form to teach me what she had learned that mean solar day. My first publications were in the Oakland Tribune in a weekly department for children called "Aunt Elsie's Page," and a newspaper I put out for my family which featured reviews of what I was reading and news about what was happening in the lives of my dolls.

I was lucky enough to have parents who encouraged me from the beginning, and who showed their back up by giving upward much of what they must have wanted for themselves so my sister and I could go the best possible pedagogy. As a result, by the time I graduated from The Bishop'south School in 1967 and enrolled as an English major at the Academy of California at Davis, I had come to appreciate that good writing is extraordinarily difficult but well worth the effort. I couldn't believe I could become a degree by devouring novels and poetry in bed in my pajamas, and writing papers on ideas that burned in me as I read, merely it turned out to be largely true. Graduate school at the Academy of Chicago (MA 1972) and once more at Davis (Ph.D, 1982) followed.

Professionally, early in my career I was both an teacher and an administrator of academic support programs at San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego. I came to San Diego City College in 1990, first as a dean and so as a total-time professor of English and Humanities. I too freelanced in the 1990s, writing approximately twenty Young Adult titles for Clear-cut Books.

Lately, i take been enjoying the opportunity to serve as an enrichment lecturer on Silversea Cruises, and in my spare time, I am an gorging tennis histrion, novice golfer, voracious reader, and a pretty good chef.

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For those of usa with a thing about history, there'south a real time-travel element to good historical fiction. Traditional educational models...

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