The Red Priest's Annina: A Novel of Vivaldi and Anna Girò

Description

Review

"The Red Priest's Annina" is the story of Antonio Vivaldi, the great Italian composer who was called the Red Priest because of his fiery red hair, and his young protegee, 15-year-old Annina Giro, an aspiring but untrained singer. Annina arrives in Venice, a city of crime and debauchery, in the winter of 1722 in hopes of studying with her idol Vivaldi, whom she has admired from afar. Her older sister leaves her alone at a boarding house for young girls studying music, but she soon learns she must fend for herself in a cruel environment. Vivaldi has left the city for Rome, and Annina becomes the brunt of another girl's jealousies and meanness, is forced to go without food and heat and is sent to a disparaging singing teacher. But soon Vivaldi returns, and the girl's misfortune is turned around when the master recognizes her talent and guides her toward an operatic career.

Annina's innocence and freshness is set against the bleak and cutthroat world of Venice in the 18th century with its carnivals, masks, drama, intrigue and beautiful music. The story is compelling, the writing and dialogue are crisp and realistic, and the characters are so well drawn you feel their disappointments and victories. --Mona Prufer, Alternatives

Aspirations of stardom know no era. "The Red Priest's Annina" tells the story of Annina, a young girl who dreams of a life on stage in the eighteenth century. Through her journeys through Venice, she encounters characters of every persuasion making her journey to her dream an unusual one. Drawn from real events, "The Red Priest's Annina" is a choice pick that should not be ignored. --Midwest Book Review

From the Back Cover

In a tale of a famed opera composer and his prize singing pupil, it should be no surprise to encounter passion and drama, and The Red Priest's Annina delivers vast amounts of both. This tale of Annina Giro, a young student of Antonio Vivaldi's in 18th century Venice, feels like a tragic opera as Annina struggles at every turn, always striving to achieve her dreams of standing at center stage.
From the moment the story begins, Annina has obstacles set in her path--her father's objections to her dreams of singing and acting, struggles with rival singers in Venice, and her own feelings. Like many girls of fourteen, Annina is torn between her passionate desires and her common sense. It's hard not to cringe and suffer along with her as she often makes the wrong choices. Luckily, she has friends with her best interests in mind at her side to guide her as she learns not only to sing, but to trust in her own strengths.
Though Annina is the main character and narrator, it is the other characters who steal their scenes, including the charming gondolier Fortunato and Annina's best friend, a cheerful costumer at her opera school named Graziana. Yet the composer and priest Antonio Vivaldi himself is the most engaging character, acting as a sort of guardian angel to Annina as he guides her through the dangers of lecherous patrons and scheming rivals. It is little wonder that Annina begins to develop feelings for her charming and talented, yet utterly forbidden, teacher.
Though billed as a young adult novel, this is perfectly engaging for older readers as well. Those who are music fans or simply love stories filled with angst and drama will enjoy this book.
--Megan Kitzman, HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

About the Author

Sarah Bruce Kelly was inspired to tell Annina's story when doing research for a Master's thesis on Vivaldi's theatrical career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Master's degrees in Liberal Arts and Music History, and teaches Italian, Latin, and Fine Arts at Coastal Carolina University and St. Michael Catholic School. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Sarah and her husband, Frank, now live on the South Carolina coast.