The Orphan Singer

This beautiful picture book is a wonderful "read aloud" story for young children as well as a great introduction to the long-lost culture of the Venetian ospedali. The book does not attempt to be an historical documentary, but rather a touching story that will appeal to little ones' sensibilities. The author's note at the end accurately explains the history behind the story, which parents can gradually explain to children as their interest develops. What a marvelous companion this book would be to an introduction of Vivaldi's "musical story" about nature and the changing seasons. In my experience as a music teacher, children love "acting out" the birds, thunder storms, etc. while listening to the Four Seasons. The story-like quality of that musical masterpiece finds its counterpart in "The Orphan Singer," which educates while entertaining. Sarah Bruce Kelly Author of THE RED PRIEST'S ANNINA

This is a great story to bring kids to classical music. It presents the intriguing world of 18th Century Venice to the modern child. I was interested in this book because I am interested in the Pieta and Vivaldi's life in general. Overall, this book was well researched and thoughtfully presented for a young audiance. It did irk me that the main character is not a real orphan but one who actually had parents. It was the policy of the Pieta to condemn parents who tried to pass thier children off orphans when they were not actually. I would have liked to see the main character have been a real orphan. There were a few things that were historically inacurare as well. Children were no brought to the Pietas and raised there. They were brought,and then sent into the country to be raised until they were old enough to come back. Also the ending is wrong as well. She becomes an opera singer, when in reality women at the Pieta either stayed there thier entire lives of left in favor of marriage/convent. If they did leave, they had to promise never to preform in public. I would say unless you really love this book, please go for " Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery".

The musical Dolci family was very, very poor, and when their daughter, Nina, was only a baby, she began to sing with the voice of an angel. Because they had no money for music lessons and wanted their child to fulfill her destiny, they left her at the ospedalo, a special orphanage where foundling girls received the best musical training in Europe. The ospedalo was famous for its choir and in no time, Nina was an accomplished musician, singing the "impossible high notes and endless arpeggios." Though they kept their identity a secret, and pretended to be strangers, the Dolcis visited little Nina in the reception room for admirers every week after each ospedalo concert. She grew very close to them, especially their son, Antonio, and eagerly awaited their visits. Then one evening, the Dolcis didn't arrive. Word came that Antonio was very sick and dying. No one was allowed to ever leave the opsedalo, to do so meant expulsion. But Nina had to see her beloved Antonio and snuck out in the middle of the night to make her way across Venice to the Dolci home. "If only she could sing to him now, wouldn't he hear her love and get well....." Take a slice of eighteenth century history, add a little music, drama, and mystery, and you have Emily Arnold McCully's fascinating and intriguing story, The Orphan Singer. Her compelling and engaging text, complete with happily-ever-after ending is beautifully enhanced by her marvelously evocative and expressive illustrations that capture Venice and the ospedalo in strikingly vivid detail. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, the story includes an author's note to further explain and expand on the history and importance of the ospedalo to the musical life of Venice, and is a masterpiece that definitely shouldn't be missed.