Overview
Seventeen-year-old Angelica Voglia loves to sing. But she lives in seventeenth-century Rome, and the pope has forbidden women to sing in public. To make matters worse, her controlling mother is determined to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman, even though Angelica is in love with a poor French artist. Angelica's only hope to sing before an audience—and escape a forced marriage—is to flee to Queen Christina's court, where she will become the queen's soprano. But she soon discovers that the palace walls are not completely secure . . . and her freedom will require an even greater sacrifice than she imagined.
Synopsis
A powerful historical novel about a seventeen-year-old girl who would sacrifice everything in order to be free to sing.
Laura Woodruff - VOYA
Life in seventeenth-century Rome is difficult for a beautiful and exceptionally talented girl, especially one born into a humble family. Seventeen-year-old Angelica Voglia does not question her ambitious mother or the generous priest who funds her musical education until orphan Lucia becomes her family's servant and Angelica's best friend. Lucia warns Angelica that her mother means to sell her to the highest bidder in order to advance her own station. Among the many suitors who gather daily beneath Angelica's window, the teenager favors French artist Theodon. Although poor, handsome, and gifted, Theodon has prospects. They court secretly with Lucia as a go-between. When Angelica discovers that her mother intends to deliver her to a married nobleman at the conclusion of a performance, she arranges to enter the service of Swedish Queen Christina and to live protected in the only quarter of Rome where women are permitted to sing. What follows is a series of intrigues and dangerous encounters as Angelica seeks to chart her own course among powerful, opposing factions. Written by a celebrated author and based on a factual story, the novel is genuinely gripping. Its innocent and brave heroine does not arrive at a happy ending; nonetheless her growth in understanding through sorrow and her commitment to self will ring true with today's young readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Harcourt, 336p., $17. Ages 11 to 18.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Gifts and talents, while wondrous to possess, may also possess the owner. Angelica Voglia's musical talent beguiles the poor and the powerful, the peasant and the priest. Nevertheless, the pope has decreed that it is illegal for women to sing in public. The time is 1670, and although Pope Innocent XI rules most of Rome, there is yet one quarter where musical performance by ladies is encouraged and enjoyed by all who are invited to listen. The patron of this court is Queen Christiana, a native of Sweden, but Catholic by choice and living in Rome. A multi-layered plot drives this novel for mature readers. Angelica's unscrupulous mother is determined to marry her daughter above her social rank, and uses her daughter's flawless voice and beautiful face as bargaining tools to benefit the entire family. Angelica has fallen in love with a French sculptor, but does not know how to escape her mother's demands. The voice itself almost takes on a life of its own, and eventually draws Angelica under the protection and authority of Queen Christiana. Intrigue, death, attempted rape, betrayal, loyalty, pride, and shame blend as the story reaches a memorable crescendo. Dines' absorbing novel is based on a true story that she discovered in an old library book in Rome. 2006, Harcourt, Ages 16 to 18.—Janice DeLong
VOYA
Life in seventeenth-century Rome is difficult for a beautiful and exceptionally talented girl, especially one born into a humble family. Seventeen-year-old Angelica Voglia does not question her ambitious mother or the generous priest who funds her musical education until orphan Lucia becomes her family's servant and Angelica's best friend. Lucia warns Angelica that her mother means to sell her to the highest bidder in order to advance her own station. Among the many suitors who gather daily beneath Angelica's window, the teenager favors French artist Theodon. Although poor, handsome, and gifted, Theodon has prospects. They court secretly with Lucia as a go-between. When Angelica discovers that her mother intends to deliver her to a married nobleman at the conclusion of a performance, she arranges to enter the service of Swedish Queen Christina and to live protected in the only quarter of Rome where women are permitted to sing. What follows is a series of intrigues and dangerous encounters as Angelica seeks to chart her own course among powerful, opposing factions. Written by a celebrated author and based on a factual story, the novel is genuinely gripping. Its innocent and brave heroine does not arrive at a happy ending; nonetheless her growth in understanding through sorrow and her commitment to self will ring true with today's young readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Harcourt, 336p., $17. Ages 11 to 18.—Laura Woodruff