The Instrumentalist BY Harriet Constable

Set against the opulent yet treacherous backdrop of 18th-century Venice, Ospedale della Piet follows the life of Anna Maria, an eight-year-old orphan growing up in a renowned institution for abandoned girls. Every day, infants are left at its doorstep, cast aside by society, and Anna Maria is one among hundreds. But unlike her peers, Anna Maria possesses an extraordinary talent for music, an obsession that shapes her identity and fuels her ambitions to become Venice’s greatest violinist and composer.

Under the tutelage of a demanding maestro, Anna Maria emerges as his star pupil, determined to surpass even his expectations. Her world is a whirlwind of music, color, and relentless dedication. However, the more her skills shine, the more her rise threatens to overshadow her mentor, putting her dreams at risk. As she ascends Venice’s glittering stages, she faces harsh realities and personal sacrifices that test her resilience and force her to confront the fragile balance of power between mentor and pupil.

Through its rich evocation of Venice, the novel explores themes of ambition, artistic obsession, and the high cost of success. Anna Maria’s journey from a destitute orphan to a celebrated musician is one of triumphs and heartbreaks. Yet, in the relentless pursuit of her dreams, she must choose between loyalty and ambition, between those she leaves behind and the legacy she seeks to build in a city that both nurtures and devours its artists. This is a vivid portrait of a woman determined to carve her place in history.