Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Harriet Constable’s debut novel, “The Instrumentalist”, resonates like a finely tuned violin. Set in glittering Venice during 1704, it unveils the remarkable life of Anna Maria, an orphan girl with an unwavering dream: to become Venice’s greatest violinist and composer.

Anna Maria’s Resilience: Abandoned at the Ospedale della Pietà, Anna Maria defies her circumstances. Obsessive and gifted, she catches the attention of the maestro, who becomes her mentor. But ambition comes at a cost, and Anna Maria’s rise threatens to eclipse her teacher’s legacy.

Constable paints Venice with vivid strokes—the jeweled palaces, mud-licked canals, and the rhythm of music echoing through its streets. The city itself becomes a character, both glorious and decadent.

Inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi, this novel restores her name from forgotten annals. It’s a searing portrait of ambition, betrayal, and womanhood.

“The Instrumentalist” harmonizes loss, triumph, and the pursuit of greatness. Constable’s lyrical prose invites readers to listen closely—to the music, the heart, and the indomitable spirit of Anna Maria. 🌟📖✨

Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC of the Instrumentalist! As much of my creative writing is related to music in some way, I was very interested in reading this fictional take on the life of a female composer (and instrumentalist) with whom I was unfamiliar: Anna Maria della Pieta, abandoned as an orphan before ultimately coming under the tutelage of Antonio Vivaldi. An enjoyable and read. Thank you!

“The Instrumentalist” is a beautifully told story about a subject in history that I knew virtually nothing about (a difficult feat indeed when it comes to historical fiction) and now I am curious to learn more!
I’m not sure if the author plays the violin or any instrument but as someone who does play the violin, I was swept away, back into my lessons and the grit and passion it takes to learn the violin was once again vividly brought to life in my mind!
Of course, there were some “woo-woo” moments where I thought to myself, “that would never happen” (like when Anna Maria was playing actual music the very first time she picked up a violin) but it actually really leant to the story and again, I was swept away and left breathless, almost wishing I was back in the classroom… almost!
“The Instrumentalist” was such a treat to read and I am so appreciative that I was able to get a sneak peak! Such a moving and powerful read!

The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable is an incredible journey into the heart of 18th-century Venice, told through the eyes of Anna Maria della Pietà, an orphan and violin virtuoso. This novel resonated deeply with me, thanks to its rich historical backdrop and compelling portrayal of a young woman’s struggle to find her place in a world dominated by male composers and patrons.

Anna Maria’s story is one of resilience and determination. Growing up in the Pietà orphanage, her exceptional talent on the violin catches the attention of Antonio Vivaldi, who becomes her mentor. The way Constable brings their relationship to life is both touching and nuanced, capturing the complexities of admiration, mentorship, and the pressures of high expectations. I found myself rooting for Anna Maria as she navigated the highs and lows of her burgeoning career, dealing with exploitation and societal constraints with a quiet strength that is truly inspiring.

The vivid descriptions of Venice, from its grandiose palaces to its murky canals, transport you right into the heart of the city. The duality of its beauty and decay mirrors Anna Maria’s own journey, making the setting almost a character in itself. The historical detail is meticulously researched, adding authenticity to the story without overwhelming it.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book is its exploration of the often-overlooked contributions of women in classical music history. Anna Maria’s passion and talent shine through, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating female artists who have been erased from history.

Harriet Constable’s writing is both lyrical and evocative, perfectly capturing the essence of the music that drives Anna Maria. The emotional depth of the characters, combined with the rich historical context, makes this a truly memorable read. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong, complex female leads, The Instrumentalist is a must-read.

Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me. It’s a beautiful tribute to the power of music and the indomitable spirit of a young woman determined to make her mark against all odds.

The Instrumentalist, historical fiction set in 1704, tells the story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antoni Vivaldi and became his star pupil and source of inspiration. Constable provides a searing exploration of art and ambition, genius and exploitation and loss and triumph.

Venice in the early 18th-century provided options for orphans of both sexes at the Ospedale della Pieta. Unwanted infants were posted through a tiny gap in the surrounding wall. While subject to strict rules and hard work, the girls were given music lessons. If talented and pretty, they escape forced marriage to older men. Boys at the Ospedale learned a trade and were sent out to work.

Constable’s description of Venice rings true as does her treatment of everyday life in the orphanage. It quickly become clear that Anna Maria is an exceptional talent and that she experiences synesthesia, “seeing” music in glorious color. She is acknowledged by the heads of the school when she is eight years old. Her unnamed teacher (Vivaldi) immediately understands her gifts and sets out to teach, help and exploit her. The limits of talent are made apparent, as one after another girl is expelled from the orchestra (figlie de coro) and married off. Yet Anna Maria manages to outlast her tormentors and overcome misfortune. She eventually escapes the misogyny of 18th-century Venice and becomes a composer in her own right – albeit in anonymity.

Successful historical fiction must affect an equilibrium between the things known to be true with fiction in order to craft a compelling narrative. This impartiality is especially difficult to achieve with figures like Anna Maria, where very little is known. Overall, Constable achieves this balance with grace and verve. Yet there are a few instances where artistic license loses out to historical revisionism. It is unlikely that Anna Maria stormed into the office of the Ospedale demanding to be made Master of Music saying, “I make the Pieta a lot of gold. If you want the famous Anna Maria della Pieta to keep smiling and playing, you’ll give me the role. You need me more than I need you.”

What is needed in this otherwise compelling book, is a deeper consideration of the thought and psychological world of the time and not putting 21st-century attitudes (and language) into an historical setting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to @Simon&Schuster and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #TheInstrumentalist. The opinions expressed her are entirely my own.

Apparently there is evidence that suggests Antonio Vivaldi did not compose of all his works and that his most famous work, the Four Seasons may actually have been composed by his students at the Pieta orphanage in Venice. This intriguing historical fiction debut takes the real life violin prodigy, Anna Maria della Pieta, and imagines her life in the orphanage as a student of Vivaldi.

Anna Maria is determined to be the youngest member of the "figlie di coro" and become a maestro. Her ambition drives her to be the best at all costs, including abandoning her closest friends. When Vivaldi takes credit for her composition, Anna Maria is stung by the betrayal and it changes everything.

My only quibble was Anna Maria's fierce determination felt a little too "modern day girl power" for an 18th century orphan. But overall, really enjoyed this novel. Constable does a great job of bringing that time period in Venice to life.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC. I have realized that historical fiction is not for me. While the prose in The Instrumentalist is beautiful, the book was unfortunately not for me.

Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable (Simon & Schuster) is inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi.

Venice, 1695: Orphan of the famous Pieta, Anna Maria is eight when she meets Antonio Vivaldi. He is a harsh teacher but notices Anna’s talent right away. She wants to compose like Vivaldi. He isn’t a mare instrumentalist as he put it, playing just an instrument. Those who are remembered are composers. She hatches her plan for composing, but she needs to be a maestro in order to publish her compositions.

She isn’t bothered by his harsh manners as others are. She doesn’t concentrate on feelings as others do. She prioritizes sound, expression, and perfecting each note. This is the path to greatness and adoration by others.

The life throws opportunities at her and then tests her persistence. When Vivaldi is sick for months, the less talented teacher who lacks the skill, the speed and understanding of her, takes over the teaching. Not only that, when she is already known throughout the Pieta, she is still expected to scrub the floors as the rest of the girls, leaving her fingers blistered which she needs in good shape for her instrument.

This story explores the fate of a Venetian orphan, which was a marriage to anyone who would have her. Thus, Anna Maria is determined to change her fate and be the best violinist.

There is very little known about Anna Maria. The setting is historically researched but the interpretation of Anna Maria’s life is fiction which is slowly revealed.

This story has a feminist approach and at times raises a question if one would behave with such authority as an orphan child in the 18th century.

Overall, it is an interesting story of Pieta orphans and the opportunity they were given when almost none was existent for them.

I love when I pick up a book and learn something new. I LOVED this story. I had no idea who Anna Maria della Pietà was. This was a treat to follow a story based on her life. One of the best debuts of the year!

This debut novel is set in Venice at the beginning of the 18th century, primarily in the Ospedale della Pietà, home to approximately 300 orphaned or abandoned girls. (Infant girls were pressed through a small gap in the wall surrounding the convent.) In addition to mundane, tedious, and unpleasant tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry, the girls attend classes and, most importantly, take music lessons. The best of the musicians join the figlie di coro, (daughters of the choir), which can bring recognition, wealth, and opportunities beyond the Ospedale della Pietà.

The novel focuses on Anna Maria, an 8-year-old who is both gifted and obsessive. As her talents grow, she works under the tutelage of Antonio Vivaldi. And as her skills and fame increase, she must make some difficult choices.

This is a most excellent novel. There is the historical Venice, there is Vivaldi, there are all kinds of feminist issues, and there is the question of whether greatness is possible without obsession.

Anna Maria is an orphan who decides she wants to be the best violin player there is. She is the youngest girl to join the orchestra and starts to compose her own music. She and the girls at the orphanage likely helped Vivaldi compose his many pieces.

Wow! This book was so good. It was hard to put down and when I wasn’t reading about it, I was thinking about it.

Thank you Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.
Living in orphanage in the 18th century Italy a woman had the opportunity of being an artist or a wife. Anna Maria Della Pietà worked hard to prove herself and become a violin virtuoso under the one and only Vilvaldi. Anna’s story and challenges along the way are captivating as her story at the base is true. What she was able to do to achieve her dreams helping the dreams of the orphanage and her mentor are interesting and keeps the story going. Love the beauty of the area and the vivid details of the music. Definitely a wonderful piece of historic fiction.

“The Instrumentalist” by Harriet Constable is a historical fiction based on the true story of Anna Maris della Pieta’’. She was a Venetian orphan abandoned by her mother right after her birth and left at an orphanage for females born of prostitutes. It takes place in 1704, a time when women had no rights or value but the very famous orphanage where she was left trained their girls to sing and play musical instruments. Although they were raised in the most abusive & cruel manner she and the other orphans contributed to some of the greatest works of music ever written.

Anna Maria became one of the greatest violinists of her time. She was a prodigy with tremendous drive to succeed along with the gift of sound & color synesthesia. She was also the student of Antonio Vivaldi and it is believed she and other orphans authored some of his most famous compositions.

I found her story very powerful and felt myself invested through every chapter which is a credit to the authors beautiful writing. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Instrumentalist is such a beautifully written historical fiction story. Detailing the life of an orphaned, female music maestro in Venice from the renowned Pietà, the book ebbs and flows through the drama of her challenges, opportunities and talents. Vividly described and lovingly detailed!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A gorgeously executed work of fiction about a historical figure too long neglected. If this is Constable's debut, I can't wait to read what she offers in the future.

Granted, we don't have a wealth of hard facts about Anna Maria della Pieta; grew up in the Pieta orphanage; probably of dubious parentage; a virtuoso violinist and star pupil of Vivaldi; took his place as master of music of Pietta's prestigious orphanage. Constable has fleshed out her character and life in a way that feels entirely plausible. Her interactions with other orphans, her friendships and rivalries, the details of life in the orphanage were all completely believable for me. And most importantly, her initial worship for and gradually growing vexation with the red-headed tyrant, Vivaldi, felt very real especially for the times. Anna Marie's astounding gifts, sometimes crippling fears, and balancing personality flaws made her a very real person.

Helen Constable has a real gift and I look forward to her next offering.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for making an advance copy of this title available for an honest review.

Great historical fiction of an orphan who finds herself through music. A surprising view of orphan life in Venice and someone who broke the mold.

As a musician and a feminist, this hit all the highlights! Loosely based on the life of musician Anna Maria della Pieta, this book follows the orphan from birth through her tutelage from Antonio Vivaldi. As she learns to deal with synesthesia, becoming a phenomenal musician, and becoming a young adult, you care deeply for this talented girl. Her struggles to make a name for herself in 17th century Venice will have you cheering her on. I highly recommend this!

3.5 stars, rounded up
I am always fascinated by authors who can write about music. It’s not easy being able to convey the power of creating music, whether playing or composing. Harriet Constable, a debut novelist from a musical family, manages it in part by giving her MC sound-color synesthesia or colored hearing.
The Instrumentalist tackles Anna Maria della Pieta, a virtuoso violin player in the early 18th century Venice. The daughter of a prostitute, she was lucky to be dropped off at the Ospedale della Pieta, which was known for teaching the young girls to play musical instruments and sing and where Vivaldi was the maestro. It boasted the best orchestra in Italy. Anna Maria not only had true talent, she also had drive. Her drive was such that she put her music ahead of everything else, including friendships. I did question at times her brazen attitude and expectations. Would she have spoken out to Elisabetta Marcini, a patron, in that way? Or expected Vivaldi to give her credit for her help on his compositions? Constable frequently spells out the precarity of her situation, first just to be in the orchestra, then as first violinist. So it felt jarring for her to be so bold, especially early on.
It’s well known that she was Vivaldi’s muse, but did she really help him with so many of his compositions? Although, having read up on the amount of music he was expected to produce, I imagine he definitely needed help.
The book does a good job of giving us a feel for the time and place. The research behind the book is apparent. It was easy to envision the scenes play out, with detailed descriptions of the rooms, clothes and jewels.
My thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.

Anna Maria della Pieta is an orphan in the 1700s. Her orphanage is a special school for music and Anna Maria is a violinist in a highly competitive field. The setting was good and I was drawn into the lives of the characters. Vivaldi, Anna Maria's teacher used his position to exert control over her and the other girls. This book takes the reader to 18th Century Venice and a world of competition, drive, and young women who face incredible odds to achieve success.

Anna Maria della Pieta is an orphan - but an orphan at a convent that specializes in teaching their young girls music. Anna Maria lives and breathes music - in colors. When she is given the opportunity to learn the violin, she practices hours and hours and hours. She dreams, no, more than dreams, of being the greatest violinist in the world. And also to compose. Maestro has chosen her as his pet project - he arranges to get her a violin made for her, he composes for and with her, he spotlights her often.

Anna Maria's single-mindedness costs her dearly. It costs her in friends, relationships and with her body. But she stays the course. After a few bumps in the road, she proves she was worthy of Maestro's attention.

This was not a story I had heard before but the author weaves a tale using real facts. I read this in one day because I just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction - but is also interested in women's rights and just an interesting story.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.