Tito Amati has been accustomed to being the male lead, receiving plum roles with the Teatro San Marco, but he let success goes to his head, indulged himself and neglected his voice. When another celebrated singer is brought in to play the lead in the next opera, Tito is humiliated, but recognizes his own role in his demotion.
Tito is eager to get back in form and to regain the good graces he once enjoyed with the theater's director. when asked to locate Luca Cavalieri, the scene designer who has gone missing, Tito willing agrees.
Luca Cavalieri's body washes ashore at an inopportune moment, and now, Tito needs to discover the reason for Luca's murder...and the culprit.
The 18th century Venetian setting, the details concerning the theater and production of an opera, the role of the castrati (what a sad tradition), and political machinations all combine to make interesting reading.
Tito is a charming character who resents his demotion and his replacement, but takes responsibility for his behavior and acknowledges his rival's skill and genuine talent. He has come to terms with his own situation as a castrato--his prized role as a singer is a result-- but still feels some bitterness about the price. (Boys were castrated for singing in church choirs and on stage; at the height of the demand for these singers it is estimated that as many as 4,000 boys a year underwent this mutilation--often as in Tito's case--sold by their families in that hopes that their sons' voices would lift them from poverty.)
"The first openly castrated singers were enthusiastically admitted to the Vatican chapel by Pope Clement XIII in 1599 and by 1625 had completely replaced the soprano falsettists. Taking their example from Rome, the other major Italian chapels quickly sought out and admitted castrati among their ranks and their use openly spread throughout the first half of the century." via Origin of the CastratiBeverle Graves Myers has created interesting and well-drawn characters, placed them in a unique historic setting, and provided them with an absorbing murder mystery.
Purchased.
Historical Mystery. 2005. Print version: 315 pages.
I haven't read this one, although the title sounds familiar. I admit I am not a fan of theater settings. I won't not read a book about or somehow tied to a theater, but it's not an immediate draw for me. From what you've written though, it sounds like not only does this mystery hold up well with a second reading, but it is well written as well. I will have to give this one a try.
ReplyDelete:) We all have settings/themes that don't particularly interest us. I pretty much dismiss books that have blurbs about mob activity or organized crime. I am drawn to historical mysteries and particular settings like Venice. Painted Veil held up to a second reading, but mostly because of the historical elements.
DeleteI think the theater setting add a bit of intrigue to the mystery. I can't explain why but theaters always give me a mystic feel; perhaps it's the dark enclosed area, lol. Anyway, this sounds like an interesting read and it should be good since it was a re-read for you.
ReplyDeleteThe background of the opera, the use of castrati, the Jewish quarter, and the water situation in Venice (wells that filtered rain water through sand; I'd never considered the source of fresh water in Venice) all played into the mystery!
DeleteWhat a unique premise for a mystery! I think the first time I read about the Castrati might have been an Anne Rice novel? It's been so long I can't remember, but so sad that this is part of history. Hard to imagine isn't it? So is this part of a series?
ReplyDeleteYes, Anne Rice wrote a novel about the castrati! I remember a friend recommending it and later, discussing it over lunch, but I don't remember much about the novel itself. What I remember is the horror of castrating young boys to get a soprano--now that is civilized.
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