Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice [Hardcover]

Pat Lowery Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009

While studying under Vivaldi, three girls in a Venice orphanage forge their own notions of love in a sensuous, engrossing novel told in three narrative voices.

It is a longing and search for love that motivates three girls living in the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage renowned for its extraordinary musical program. But for Rosalba, Anetta, and Luisa, the love they seek is not where they expect to find it. Set in the early 1700s in the heart of Venice, this remarkable novel deftly weaves the history of Antonio Vivaldi’s early musical career into the lives of three young women who excel in voice and instrument. Under the composer’s tutelage and care, the orphans find expression, sustenance, and passion. But can the sheltered life of the orphanage prepare them for the unthinkable dangers outside its walls?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—The quest for love and belonging motivates the three teens who tell this engrossing story set in the early 1700s in Venice at the Ospedale dell Pieta, an orphanage and home for abandoned girls. Marriage or a life in the church is the only future that these girls can hope for. Antonio Vivaldi, a character in this fictional account, wrote much of his music at the Ospedale and was responsible for teaching music to a select segment of the girls. Each chapter is told by Anetta, Luisa, or Rosalba, all well-drawn and believable characters. They all seek love in different ways. Despite their disadvantaged backgrounds, they show great inner strength. Luisa has a magnificent voice, which could attract a fine prospect for marriage, but she hopes her talent will snare the attention and affection of her mother, who abandoned her. Rosalba is an incurable romantic who refuses to be confined by the walls of the Ospedale and takes great risks in her pursuit. Anetta nurtures the younger girls at the institution and is intensely devoted to Rosalba and especially to Luisa. Near the end of the book there is a hint that Anetta's attraction to Luisa may be romantic. Collins's descriptive prose makes Venice and a unique slice of history come alive as the three connecting narrative strains create a rich story of friendship and self-realization.—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
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From Booklist

Vivaldi composes music and conducts concerts performed by girls at the Ospedale della Pietà, an early eighteenth-century Venetian orphanage that features rigorous musical training. Changing narrators chapter by chapter, the absorbing story is told by three of the young musicians, 15-year-olds Anetta and Rosalba, and Luisa, who is nearly 14 when the novel begins. Early in the story, Anetta dotes on Luisa, who bridles at her friend’s over-attentive manner, while both feel concern for high-spirited Rosalba, who neglects her duties and longs for romance. Each girl undergoes changes through the course of the novel: Anetta channels her feelings for Luisa into other directions; Luisa endures a near-fatal illness and enjoys a brief love affair; and Rosalba grows up quickly after a rape makes it impossible for her to return to the orphanage. With its unique setting, vivid musical themes, and sharply realized characters, this historical novel is well worth reading. Grades 8-10. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; First Edition edition (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763639176
• ISBN-13: 978-0763639174
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,628,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

From my earliest years I thought of myself as a poet and painter. As a child in Hollywood, I also acted on the radio.

At twenty, I graduated from the University of Southern California, married,and soon moved to New England. It wasn't until the youngest of our five children entered school that I began writing picture books, and in the past ten years I've gravitated to writing young adult novels as well. My books include the Reading Rainbow selection, "I Am An Artist", and the recent sequel, "I Am a Dancer". My newest historical novel is "Hidden Voices, The Orphan Musicians of Venice", published by Candlewick Press and a finalist for the Boston Author's Club 2010 Children's Book Award. It was also nominated for a Cybil Award, and was chosen for ALA's 2010 Rainbow List. My young adult novel in free verse, "The Fattening Hut", won the Boston Author's Club 2004 Julia Ward Howe Award and was a Book Sense Pick and ALA Amelia Bloomer choice. "Daughter of Winter", set in Essex, MA in 1849, is scheduled for publication in 2010, and a picture book, "The Deer Watch", is also forthcoming from Candlewick. A chapbook of my poems, "The Quiet Woman Wakes Up Shouting", is one in a series of chapbook originals published by Folly Cove Books. I teach in Lesley University's MFA program in creative writing and live and work in Gloucester, MA. My web site is www.patlowerycollins.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical fiction, October 4, 2009

By 

Kim Ablon Whitney (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice (Hardcover)

All through reading this absorbing historical novel I couldn't help but feel a life-line being thrown out from today back through time. I like to read both historical and contemporary fiction and I particularly enjoy a good novel told from multiple voices where you get to know each character--their differences and similarities as they navigate through the world. While this story was set in the early 1700s I had the wonderful feeling that somehow these could be girls in today's day and age. Why? Because although Luisa, Anetta and Rosalba lived in another time they struggled with the same timeless issues of friendship, identity, and sexuality. I also enjoyed learning about the fascinating world of "orphan musicians"--it felt like a secret mystery I was able to discover.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, somewhat sad ending., September 22, 2009

By 

CelticWomanFanPiano - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice (Hardcover)

Who knew that Antonio Vivaldi, the great composer, once dedicated himself to writing and teaching music for an orphanage for girls in Venice? This is perhaps the single biggest draw of the entire book. It opens a venue for one to gain insight to life inside a very musical orphanage. The portrayals of Vivaldi are both endearing and eccentric. The plight of the three girls who are the focus of the story is somewhat depressing towards the end. Neither one of the three seems to end up with the fate she would have chosen. One is cruelly raped, the other is a lesbian with unrequited love, and the third is always separated from the people she loves, including her mother and her lover. The author was clever in making the lesbian character at the same time very maternal, she has a great love for children. Not the usual traits associated with what is often considered a more manly trait. The one probably anybody anybody reading the book most sympathizes with is the poor girl who gets raped. Embued with childish fancies of what love and courtship are like she receives a cruel awakening. Thankfully Vivaldi returns her instrument to her and she is able to eventually make a decent living. To me probably the most poignant part of the story is when her daughter gets placed in the orphan wheel of the orphanage. It is after all, a place where opportunity can be attained for the girls. I thought it too advanced in subject matter for young adults. But for adults, it makes for a quick read. Although, it isn't a fairy tale and the ending is bittersweet.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, August 9, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice (Hardcover)

Eighteenth century composer Vivaldi not only composed beautiful music, but he also worked in an orphanage giving young girls a music education. HIDDEN VOICES is a fictional story based on true events about three girls living in the Ospedale dell Pieta.

Luisa is known for her voice, but she's always looking for the mother who abandoned her. Rosalba is the adventurous one who wants a life outside of the Ospedale walls and dreams of romance. Anetta is the one who takes care of everyone and feels especially protective of Luisa. Together, these girls grow up and help each other through the various obstacles life presents them.

HIDDEN VOICES is a richly detailed historical novel. Each chapter is told from a different point of view and Ms. Collins excels at giving each girl a unique voice. Rosalba was my favorite character in the beginning, but Luisa and Anetta grew on me too throughout the novel. All three grow throughout the story and it's interesting to see how the girls help and rely on each other throughout the way.

A great novel of friendship, HIDDEN VOICES is an engaging historical read, especially for readers with an interest in classical music.

Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen