Customer Reviews

Vivaldi's Virgins: A Novel

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Vivaldi's Virgins is a coming of age story set in 18th century Venice utilizing and transforming a literary form popular during that era. As a violinist, the narrator allows the reader to experience the richness of Vivaldi's music from a perspective unavailable today to modern listeners. Barbara Quick presents a vivid image of 18th century Venice and Vivaldi through the eyes and life of the narrator Anna Maria. An orphan in the cloistered halls of the Ospedale della Pieta, Anna Maria dal Violin has been handpicked at an early age to join the elite musical group within the foundling home and be taught by the maestro Vivaldi. Although cloistered within the Pieta, the reader learns of Venice through those who come to visit the Pieta and through the tours and secret escapes of the curious girls.

Barbara Quick's novel removes the masks so carefully worn by the upper strata of Venice society. Vivaldi is seen through the eyes of his students and musicians. Vivaldi's Virgins is a combination of first person narrative in which Anna Maria tells her life story and an epistolary novel 'a novel told through letters', a genre emerging in popularity during the 18th century. As a disciplinary measure, Sister Laura instructs Anna Maria to write to calm Anna Maria's growing passion. She writes letters to her unknown mother never knowing whether they will be read nor by whom. Anna Maria lies hidden and almost invisible, living behind a grille from the public. Barbara Quick's novel removes the grille and allows the reader to peer inside the life of this 18th century woman who cries out for her mother and makes Vivaldi's genius heard by his public. Anna Maria dal Violin is the body and the violin through which Vivaldi's music is heard. Images of the voice of the violin and the voice of a child's body maturing merge with the search for her mother and her prayers to the Virgin Mother. A special plot twist at the end will delight all readers. This novel will appeal to a wide range of readers: those craving something of literary beauty, Vivaldi and classical music lovers, women wanting to experience history through the eyes of the women who lived it but for whom history rarely relates their story, and anyone wanting to peek into the lesser known history of Venice or music.

In the tradition of Dante Alighieri and his letters to Beatrice also written without certainty that they would ever be read by the intended reader, Barbara Quick cites this medieval reference, combining it with the 18th century epistolary novel and modernizes both. Although a reader need no knowledge of these literary traditions to enjoy this novel, the thoroughness of the author's research heightens the reading pleasure. The historical detail is well researched and the fictional imagination is breathtaking. The poetic language of each sentence is exquisite. Although I am a fast reader, I found myself reading slowly, creeping actually, but pausing on each page to savor its beauty and poetic prose. It has been 17 years since my graduate studies in literature and I thought I had finally conquered my terrible habit of writing in my books. After reading ten pages of Barbara Quick's Vivaldi's Virgins, I broke down and wrote in the book and continued to the end, rereading each line as I underlined. There is a multitude of passages so beautiful that I want to reread them several times.

The Ospedale della Pieta in early 18th century Venice was a home for foundling girls, the most musical of whom were trained as orchestra members or singers. Strictly cloistered from the world, they performed for the cream of Venice in their church while remaining hidden from view. The adolescent girls, who long for knowledge of their parents, discover friendship, desperate crushes, young sensuality, and the depths of music. The great composer Vivaldi wrote some of his most gorgeous music for them and taught them and the portrait the author draws of him is vivid and unforgettable.

Fourteen-year-old Anna Maria is his prize violin student. Encouraged by one of the nuns to write longing letters to the mother whose name she does not even know, she dares to break the strict rules to find her heritage and meet with a young man. As her three closest friends each in turn escape the sexless confines of the Ospedale where music is the only sensuality allowed, she too becomes more desperate and daring, riding out masked at night in a gondola for music and for love.

The writing evokes Venice and the love of music and the longing of young girls so beautifully! I read some passages with tears in my eyes. At one point when music may be lost to Anna Maria forever, it was so poignant I had to put the book down a few times. Like a previous reviewer, I marked many passages to read again. Some sentences I had to reread several times before going on. They were truly music.

I am the author of the Viking Penguin novel MARRYING MOZART.

A baby girl is delivered to a foundling home, Ospedale della Pieta in Venice in the early 18th century. The Pieta is a sanctuary not only for foundlings but an academy for talented musicians under the tutelage of Antonio Vivaldi, the "red priest". By the time she is eight years old, Anna Maria dal Violin has been noticed by the master, included in his coveted group of students. Since her childhood, Anna Maria has searched for her identity, traveling in this pursuit beyond the cloistered walls into Venetian society, through the Jewish ghetto, to a masked ball and an opera, escaping for a time the structured communal world of the convent into the great spectacle of Venice. Each year since her fourteenth birthday, the girl has written a letter to the mother she has never known, sharing her life behind the convent walls and the music of the master, the precious gift of her own talent as it matures under Vivaldi's instruction.

Isolating the very formative adolescent years of Anna Maria's sojourn at the Pieta, the author reconstructs her quest for her mother, her unceasing diligence and the tumultuous years of her young life, when a dedication to her music defines her every waking moment. Nevertheless, Anna Maria maintains a constant vigil, hoarding the bits of evidence that come her way: "The cracks between the puzzle pieces tell as much a story as the pieces themselves." As reflected in her letters during this period, the spirited Anna Maria is easily seduced by the magic of Vivaldi's compositions and the designs of her friends as they seek their own paths in a world beyond the community. The answers are never obvious, more often than not obscure information that seems to bear no relevance to her life. But Anna Maria is nothing if not patient, the discipline and rituals of convent life the construct of daily existence.

There are tantalizing views of the republic in its final years; months of ribald carnival balls, parties where revelers wear ornate masks to conceal their identities; the dark corridors of the Jewish ghetto, wherein lies a crucial clue to Anna Maria's family ties; the excesses of young women cloistered from the world, yearning to participate in an excitement they are denied; and the petty resentments and faithful alliances within the community, where one cruel teacher blights the days of her students and another, infinitely kind, teaches Anna Maria the rudiments of survival; finally the genius of Vivaldi, who becomes Anna Maria's teacher and remains friend and mentor until the end, celebrating his gifted student's skill, the notes of her violin akin to the voices of angels.

Although she lives well into her eighties, it is the critical years of her search that define the novel, a quiet, desperate search to learn who delivered her to the Pieta, her daydreams and vivid imaginings finally bearing fruit thanks to perseverance and the kindness of others. In a poignant piece of Venetian history, the world inside the cloistered walls of the Pieta is revealed, all the more fascinating for its comparison with the debauchery of the city. Ultimately, it is the music inspired by Vivaldi's genius that endures, the sweet notes that buoy up a sometimes flagging spirit, comforting a woman with no ties to the world save her music. Luan Gaines/2007.

This is overall a very well written book. I would put it in the catergory of novels such as Girl With a Pearl earring, although Anna Maria, the main character has a much stronger character and narrative then the main character in Girl with a Pearl Earring. The book is is in first person and switches back between the year 1709 and the year 1737. It is well researched and the writing flows, it is straight to the point--but beautiful with out being flowery. The only complaint I have about the narrative is that is it is just that-- too much narrative, I would have like to hear more diolouge, especially from Vivaldi who is the namesake of the novel. Also, there was not a clear distinction enough for between the girl's voice and the woman's voice--but this is a hard thing to achieve. Overall, a great novel. Four Stars!

Orphaned from birth, Anna Maria grows up in the Ospedale della Pieta. At an early age, her aptitude for music is discovered and so begins her love affair with the violin. Composer and Maestro Antonio Vivaldi, also known as the Red Priest, encourages both her musical artistry as well as her wayward spirit. Anna Maria hopes to find her biological mother and in her journey, finds herself in this stirring historical tale.

You don't have to be a fan of this period of history to appreciate VIVALDI'S VIRGINS. Barbara Quick's breathtaking prose immediately captivates as the voice of Anna Maria shines through. Seen through her eyes, Venetian society takes on a whole new outlook. From the various prejudices against the Jews to the restrictions against women to the sheer politics of the time, VIVALDI'S VIRGINS is an intimate portrait of a society in which music flourished. Barbara Quick's lilting prose paints a picture so exquisite that the ending comes far too quickly.

In Anna Maria, Barbara Quick captures the spirit of every young woman longing to find her place in life. Her letters written to a mother she has never met are heart breaking in their intensity. At one point, I broke down in tears as Anna Maria's pain was almost unbearable; I feared her wild spirit would be broken, along with her search for her heritage. Thankfully, Barbara Quick ties this story together nicely, making it all the more enjoyable as the twists in the ending add a whole new perspective to an already wonderful story.

VIVALDI'S VIRGINS is a fascinating tale, both for the beautiful prose as well as the glimpse at an often overlooked piece of history. The historical insights at the end are particularly helpful at showing where the author used a bit of judicious poetic license. Barbara Quick sets a high standard with VIVALDI'S VIRGINS, as her ability to evoke strong emotions makes this tale unforgettable.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

This glorious novel is set in Venice at the height of the splendour and decadence of the dying Republic.

Anna Maria dal Violin is one of the musicians cloistered in the Ospedale della Pieta where Antonio Vivaldi (the red priest) is maestro. Through Anna Maria's eyes, we observe Vivaldi at work, participate in some of the intrigues of life in the Ospedale and within Venice herself. In parallel, we accompany Anna Maria as she seeks to discover who she really is and where she came from.

This novel is wonderful on its own. It is also a splendid introduction to the musical life of 18th century Venice and Vivaldi himself. There are notes and a bibliography for those who wish to explore further. Best read while enjoying Vivaldi's music in the background, naturally.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

As the story opens, Anna Maria dal Violin is writing the first of what would become many letters to the mother that left her as an infant at the Ospedale della Pieta. Sister Laura, one of the nuns at the Pieta suggested she write letters to her mother as a release of feelings that she held inside. Anna knew nothing about her mother or father, her family, or where she come from.

At the age of 8, Anna Maria was brought before the famous "Red Priest" of Venice, Antonio Vivaldi, to play her violin. Aside from the Orphanage, there was also a revered music school, where Vivaldi was the maestro and composer. Vivaldi was so moved by her playing that Anna Maria was the youngest girl to ever be made one of the fourteen iniziate, an apprentice musician of the coro. It was a huge honor, and she immediately became one of Vivaldi's favorites.

The story is told by Anna Maria, much later in life, as she reads through the letters she wrote to her mother. But the story is not just about music. It's about a girl trying to find out who she is and where she fits in the world she was placed in. Not only do we get a chance to understand a cloistered life, but we get a taste of world of Venice in the early 1700's. Because of Vivaldi's reputation as a composer and musician, the girls of the coro were given a chance to sneak out of the Pieta into the masquerades of the Venice society.

It's a beautifully written tale, although it was less about Vivaldi than I originally thought it would be. Anna Maria was indeed a real person and a figlia di coro (daughter of the choir). Her tale is as heartbreaking as it is heart warming. It is a tale of love, friendship, and talent. And it well worth reading!!!

I am not a huge fan of music. Since I discovered audio books, I have replaced the radio stations in my car with more reading. However, I do enjoy classical music. This fondness was instilled in me by my high school Language Arts teacher. She strongly believed in the connection between classical music and classic literature. Ever since then I have shared her belief that these two arts go hand in hand. And Vivaldi's Virgins was truly my guilty pleasure as it combined both.

The book is written in a form of a memoir of Anna Maria dal Violin, a girl raised from infancy in Ospedale della Pieta, a home for elite female musicians of the early 18th century Venice. It was Venice where the legendary Antonio Vivaldi reigned supreme. Vivaldi was also the maestro of Ospedale instructing and teaching young girls, future musicians the beautiful art of music. Anna Maria was one of these girls and she was also one of Viavldi's favorites. Her amazing talent for playing violin was only overshadowed by her quest and longing for finding out who she truly was. She had been left at the doors of Ospedale as a motherless infant and was raised by the nuns. The whole novel weaves around Anna trying desperately to find out who her mother is, what her familial heritage is. She risks her career and her love for music only to discover what is most important to her.

I truly adored this book. The world of splendid Venice and the world of beautiful, divine music were captivating. Barbara Quick must love classical music just as much as she loves writing because she could not have channeled the notes of Vivaldi's compositions via the book otherwise. As with every great historical novel, this one compelled me to find out all I could about Vivaldi and his Virgins. And I must say that Ms. Quick also happens to be quite accurate in her portrayal of Venice's history. That was yet another plus added to my growing list of pluses as I kept reading Vivaldi's Virgins. But the part of this book I appreciated the most was the portrayal of Anne. She was just a small, 9-year-old girl when the story started but from the very first pages I could feel the wonder at her two passions. She was equally burned by the need to find her mother, and consequently her own identity, and by the love she had for playing violin. Her talent and her adoration for music turned into a love affair (who says that a love affair has to be between two people) that lasted Anna's whole life and for which much was sacrificed. I really enjoyed reading about another person's great devotion and passion towards what she loved and it made me feel a little guilty about my sometimes lukewarm attitude towards my own interests. I made up for it though, at least in one small part by re-discovering the music of Vivaldi to which I listened all the while reading the book.

I just loved being swept away by this novel. I have a toddler so it's difficult for me to travel abroad these days. No problem. By reading Vivaldi's Virgins, I traveled to Venice during the 18th century. Venice unfolded before my eyes. I've been dreaming about the characters as if they were old friends. It felt so real. I was completely wrapped up in this novel and hated for it to end.

which you should surmise from the title, although a few reviewers have not. That said, Vivaldi's Virgins is engagingly written and is close enough to the research to feel as if it could have happened that way. One thing done excellently here - we never feel the research. No author jumps onstage to say - remember, Vivaldi did this, or that. So, a round of applause for the slick linguistics with just enough Italian to feel authentic.

It's a tough call where to stay "period" correct and where to reach out to your modern readers, but for the most part, this is nicely done. One minor yikes-! editorial moment - When Marietta writes to Anna Maria and her epistle includes: "I kid you not!" It is SO difficult not to let modern idioms and phrases into writing, but that was the one flaw in what seemed otherwise a nice novel.

As to the story itself - major kudos for postulating that the "second" Anna was Antonio Vivaldi's daughter. It makes good sense to me, though I must admit my knowledge of the maestro's personal life is minimal. And more kudos for tackling a most hidden, secretive, and little-known society with believable characters and a moving plot twist or two - stitching everything into a perfect package is a genuine feat with such a difficult subject and setting.