This novel is set against the richly detailed backdrop of early 18th-century Venice, with particular focus on the Ospedale della Pietà, a renowned home for orphaned girls. The historical context is impressively researched, offering what feels like an authentic glimpse into the era and the institution. However, the author acknowledges some historical liberties, particularly concerning composer Giuseppe Tartini. While these anachronisms might be forgivable, it’s arguable that Tartini’s role in the story could have been omitted with some creative adjustments.

The characterization, however, is where my reservations lie—particularly in the portrayal of the protagonist, Anna Maria, and Vivaldi himself. Anna Maria, the gifted violinist believed to have inspired some of Vivaldi’s concertos, lived her entire life within the Ospedale as a pupil, then as a teacher. Given the scarcity of details about her personal life, it’s understandable to fictionalize her character. Vivaldi, by contrast, is a better-documented historical figure, yet much about his daily life and relationships with his pupils remains unknown. This provides some room for creative interpretation, but it’s the depiction of Vivaldi in the latter part of the book that I found troubling.The story pivots on an act by Vivaldi that is shockingly cruel, driven by jealousy and spite. While the narrative builds up to this moment, it feels profoundly unfair to attribute such malice to a real person without historical evidence to support it. Although one historian has described Vivaldi as “difficult,” there’s no record to suggest he was capable of the vindictive behavior portrayed in the novel.

Historical novelists walk a tightrope between fact and fiction, but I believe they bear a responsibility to respect the legacies of real figures, portraying them no worse than what history records. In this case, the author seems to have crossed that line, which detracts from an otherwise intriguing and immersive setting.

The Instrumentalist
Genre: historical fiction
Rating: 3.5/5

One thing about me is that I love a girlhood historical fiction story! The Instrumentalist follows Anna Maria Della Pieta, real-life violinist of 18th century Venetian fame, through her childhood instruction by Vivaldi.

The writing was poetic and beautiful and, while it did not dive deep, it explored the ebb and flow and volatile emotions of girlhood friendships when they run against ambition.

Pros:
- I LOVE a story based on real life, especially about history’s forgotten female characters.
- Put more men on blast for their rotten behavior towards the less powerful women in their lives!

Cons:
- The figlie’s revenge at the end was a bit trite but without veering too far off the real historical record, I’m not sure what would have improved it.
- More Elisabetta! She was vaguely a villain at some parts and we got a tiny hint of her backstory, but I wish there was more depth to her.

As one who has lived and taught university in Italy, and as a fan of well-researched literary historically-based fiction, I had very high hopes for this novel. Perhaps too high. This publisher usually publishes top-quality historical fiction, which added to my high expectations. I've read just about every historical fiction book set in Italy (not the bodice-ripper kind of historical fiction, but the kind that enables you to learn about history). I tried several times to get into this book but could not get more than about 1/5 of the way into it. There were too many liberties taken with the historically-based story to keep me going (and I am usually pretty-patient with books). The writing also seemed a bit over-wrought to me...it seemed to veer too much into fiction and too far from history. Perhaps this will work better for someone else...it was not for me, unfortunately.

The Instrumentalist was a great read. I loved the character development and the writing was propulsive.

The instrumentalist was a fantastic book that depcited one of Vivaldi's maestro students. I apprecaited the story teling, the writing was beautiful. This was a riviting novel depicting relationships, synesthesia and the magic of music.

I love that this book is inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pietà. She was a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi. But when he took credit for her musical compositions, she must decide if she'll run away and hide or fight back.
The book also introduced me to the women who inspired Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and other works. Men typically get credit for all major discoveries. But as the author points out, women are often behind the scenes or even the ones responsible for the invention.
This book is loaded with musical facts. As a guitarist and singer, I appreciated that educational aspect.
I also really liked all the facts about life in 1700s Venice. Often, the author included tidbits about diet, fashion, transportation, culture, careers, and customs. These sections fascinated me.
The book contains themes of friendship, family, trauma, and achievement.
Note: the content includes some slang and profanity, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and references to sexual abuse.

I learned of this book from NetGalley months before it was published however it was an NPR interview by Harriet Constable that put it on the top of my reading list. I was kicking myself for waiting so long. For me this novel is everything a good book should be: characters that are relatable and well-developed, a plot that keeps you engrossed from beginning to the end, and a history lesson. I've recommended it a dozen of my reader friends.

A beautifully written historical novel that transports readers to 18th century Venice. The novel sheds light on the gender dynamics of the time, making it a thought provoking read. It is a compelling story of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s dreams against all odds I admired Anna Maria and enjoyed her moments of triumph.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Some years ago, I ran across the story about Antonio Vivaldi (he of one of *the* most recognizable pieces of classical music in existence) leading an extraordinary orchestra of abandoned orphan girls in early 18th century Venice and thought it would make an excellent jumping off point for a novel. I never wrote that book, but Harriet Constable has found a way to bring that story to vivid life, though the eyes of Anna Maria della Pietà, a real young woman who came up through the figlie and became a celebrated violinist, composer and teacher.

There is some historical evidence the girls Vivaldi directed aided in composition. Constable takes that idea and runs with it, imagining Anna Maria not only helping their instructor but surpassing him. She paints the great composer (without explicitly naming him) with an unflattering brush: vain, petty and with little compunction for essentially stealing the ideas of his students (implying Anna Maria was instrumental, if not the primary author, of The Four Seasons.

Whether any of this is based in fact is almost beside the point. It’s certainly believable that a man of great talent would both appreciate and resent a girl whose genius outstrips his. Anna Maria is imagined a synesthete (she sees colors from music) and an instant prodigy, who rose from the lowest of origins to the height of Venetian society through raw talent and single-minded ambition. Constable imagines the ospedale as a place of deep pain and loneliness, but also refuge and opportunity. But for the orphanage and the chance to make music, these girls would be destined for lives of backbreaking poverty or worse. In The Instrumentalist, Anna Maria (and Vivaldi) are not heroes; they’re grimy, grubbing, driven, brilliant, and an absolute gift to music. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend time with either of them in reality, but here, as characters? They make a worthy study.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Harmonious Blend of History and Romance
The Instrumentalist is a captivating historical romance that transports readers to the vibrant world of 19th-century London. Harriet Constable skillfully weaves a tale of love, loss, and the power of music.
The novel follows the story of a young woman, Charlotte, who is forced to confront her past and embrace her future. Her journey is intertwined with the enigmatic figure of a renowned musician, whose secrets and passions leave her yearning for more.
Constable's vivid descriptions of 19th-century London bring the era to life. The historical details are well-researched and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The characters are well-developed, with complex emotions and motivations.
While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the author's elegant prose and the emotional depth of the characters make The Instrumentalist a truly enjoyable read.

This historical fiction novel is based on the life of the real Anna Maria. Constable draws Venice so well that you can hear the gulls calling over the dirty canals as the music wafts down from the windows of the convent. The writing also brings Anna Maria to life, casting her as someone with synesthesia; for her, musical notes are linked with colors. She struggles to balance her personal ambition with friendship and fill the gaping hole of a missing mother. I had never heard of this music school and found it fascinating that in the early 1700s, these young women were given so much education and freedom. The audiobook, narrated by actress Emilia Clarke, was a pleasure to listen to.

An enjoyable work of historical fiction with a creative niche, this book sparks curiosity about the ornate baroque period of art and music. A story of a tenacious woman in a time when women had little power, The Instrumentalist is a story of obsession, grit, and sacrifice.

Taking place in 18th century Venice, the story imagines the life of classical musician and composer Anna Maria della Pietà. The story follows a young Anna Maria, who was abandoned at an orphanage in infancy. The institution, La Pieta, accepts children so long as they are small enough to fit through a hole in the wall, and provides them with a home and an education. Based on the true Ospedale della Pietà (famous in part for its connection to composer Antonio Vivaldi) the fictional La Pieta is well-known for its charity and the "Figlie di Choro " - its all female orchestra comprised of the children who grew up there.

Anna Maria is a force to be reckoned with, described in infancy as "a raging firestorm of a thing." From a young age, her interest in music is obvious; but it's not until she picks up the violin that her natural ability is evident. She is - annoyingly- immediately talented at what is known to be one of the most intricate and difficult instruments to master. Her talent is noticed, but not celebrated, by the instructors at the institution; leading her to become severely single-minded in her pursuit of learning, performing, and even composing on the violin. Through hours of practice, and eventually, one-on-one sessions with a private teacher, she has an uninhibited and rapid rise to first violinist of one of the most famous orchestras in 18th century Venice. Outside of her innate talent, her struggles are more evident. She is a victim of circumstance as she comes of age in a time where females were second class citizens. She sacrifices friendships, faces disappointment, and experiences betrayal; a trifecta illustrative of the "lonely at the top" aphorism.

Throughout the book, Anna Maria's relationship with music is illustrated through her synesthesia - a perceptual phenomenon where an experience in one sensory pathway crosses wires with another; for example, experiencing a sound as a certain color. This was a unique creative choice by the writer and really allows the reader to be immersed in the story and become enveloped by Anna Maria's passion.

An empowering story, told creatively and from a unique perspective. Despite the grim and rough setting, this was an enjoyable read that I will be recommending for historical fiction lovers and music enthusiasts.

I have such mixed feelings on this one.

I was fascinated by the description. Anna Maria della Pieta is someone I was not familiar with . However, being a fan of various pieces by Vivaldi, I wanted to read this story.

The author has potential, but this book was a huge miss for me. I initially was intrigued but as I did some research on mg own about the facts, I feel like the author took a lot of liberties. I feel like the story could have been better had the story taken more of the actual events into account.

As a huge fan of historical fiction, I know that that things will not always be true to actual events. This book went a little too far into the fiction for me.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Thanks to Simon Books for my #gifted copy in addition to NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. This historical fiction novel is set in 18th century Venice, at the Pieta orphanage. Little is known about Anna Maria della Pieta, an orphan violin prodigy who studied under Vivaldi, and this book attempts to build from the limited historical research.
I started by reading a few chapters, then I switched to the audiobook to become a bit more invested in the story. After listening to a big chunk of the plot, I switched back to my physical copy, and I finished the book in just a few hours. I was swept away in the story, although that could be because of its novelty. I think this book would interest people who are strongly musical.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction that is based on a true story. It centers around Anna Maria de la Pieta, a Venetian orphan in the 18th century who becomes a violin prodigy.

Anna Maria grows up in an orphanage and is incredibly dedicated to her art. She is ambitious and wants to carve out a different life for herself.

I am glad that it shone light on an important woman in history during a time when it was dominated by men.

I found the story to be captivating & was invested in how it would end. It was beautifully written. Highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!

In The Instrumentalist, Harriet Constable offers a vivid reimagining of the life of Anna Maria della Pietà, an orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi in 18th-century Venice. The novel captures the intense ambition of a young woman striving to carve her place in a world dominated by men. In particular, I appreciated how the book also revealed the complexities of power dynamics between teacher and student.

The author does a great job balancing historical authenticity with compelling storytelling. The character of Anna Maria is richly developed, though at times her modern sensibilities seemed a bit of a stretch for the restrictive era she was in. The pacing is engaging, especially in the early sections, though the ending felt a little rushed. Constable’s portrayal of Vivaldi as both mentor and exploiter is a necessary challenge to the traditional narrative, and her exploration of how women’s contributions to art are often overshadowed resonated strongly with me. The Instrumentalist is a wonderful story of artistic ambition, sacrifice, and hidden history.

A young orphaned girl discovers her love of the violin and becomes obsessed with becoming a world-renowned maestro. She sees the music as colors and as she learns to master the violin she learns the hard lessons of being a poor, orphaned girl.

A beautiful, yet sad story of the struggles for those born less fortunate no matter what their talents are.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

The premise of this book is fascinating- the true story of an 18th century orphan and her journey into the history books as one of the most prolific violinists trained under the famous Vivaldi. The author did an incredible job of building Anna Maria’s world and circumstances, and if you are a music lover I think this book would be extremely fascinating to you! My only complaint is that the plot felt a bit repetitive as she grows. Scenes with Vivaldi and the matriarchs of her orphanage were very similar from the beginning to the end of the story, but her internal thoughts and a couple plot points in between kept me invested despite that.

I am so grateful to the author for writing the story of a girl who overcame so much so long ago. Without this book, she would have remained unknown to me! Books are magical like that.

The synopsis had me hooked and it only got better from there!

This book is wonderful. It's dense and heartbreaking and horrifying and beautiful and unique and hopeful. It feels true. While it is a work of fiction, so much of it is based in historical fact. There's an air of authenticity woven through the whole narrative. Nothing felt anachronistic.

The characters are fantastically done. The plot is perfectly paced. The twists and turns keep you going, searching, hoping Anna Maria will achieve the impossible. Her synesthesia is a lovely, scary addition to the story. In the early 1700s, she would've been deemed crazy. And that only heightened the stakes, and Anna Maria's ambition, her need to succeed.

I learned so much with this book. I love listening to Vivaldi's works but I had no idea of his personal history. The likelihood that he stole inspiration or music or compositions from these girls . . . I wish I was surprised. Even if it's fictional, I'm glad someone told their story. That their voices and talent live on somewhere. That they weren't forgotten.

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This novel offers a fictionalized account of Anna Maria, a historical figure who was an orphan with remarkable musical talent, trained under the guidance of Vivaldi at an orphanage. The author aims to provide her with the historical recognition she deserves, but despite the good intentions, I thought the narrative was weak. Anna Maria comes across more to me like a contemporary character dropped into a historical setting, I appreciate the author's effort but it didn't work for me. I am grateful to NetGalley for the ARC which was provided in exchange for my honest review.