As a tiny baby left in a whole in the wall of a convent in Venice, Anna Maria, as she is named by the nuns, faces a strict upbringing and ultimately is likely to be married off to a wealthy gentleman when old enough.

It's clear from a very young age she's a musical prodigy, and when Anna Maria picks up a violin it immediately opens up a whole new world of possibilities, one where she can become known as maestro and recognised for her talent. Anna Maria sees colours when she plays music and she paints beautiful pictures with her compositions. But to rise to the top she must beat everyone else in the orchestra, including her own friends... At any cost.

This reminded me of Black Swan, a woman's tale of doing whatever it takes to succeed in the performing arts. This is a beautifully told story, Venice really came alive in my mind and showed the extreme dedication you need to achieve greatness when you're not born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Stunning!

An amazing historically fiction.
I really the characterisation of the the Main female character Anna Maria.

You really get to see her grown into her own and gain confidence as she improves on her violin.
This orphan girls were ahead of their times in many ways. They were given an education, and taught to play musical instrument to a high level. They were paid for their performances and some of the most influential people of their time paid and came to see them play.

At it's core this is more than a book about Anna Maria and the girls at the Pieta that have been lost to history in favour of Vivaldi.
It is a book about friendships and how hard it was to be the very best and to have been a woman in a society and time period that made girls feel secondary to the men,

If you are looking for a book based in Venice and love music, then look no further this is the book for you.

Anna Maria's journey starts as one of passion, talent, and relentless ambition but morphs into something more complex. As she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Vivaldi her growth from a self-absorbed ingenue brimming with raw talent to a woman of purpose is portrayed with incredible nuance. The depiction of her chromesthesia adds a layer of vivid beauty to her world, making the musical experiences uniquely captivating.

Constable masterfully sheds light on the forgotten women behind some of history's greatest musical masterpieces. Anna Maria’s tale is not just one of personal triumph, but also a reflection on the often overlooked contributions of women in the arts. The book eloquently captures the pain and triumphs of its characters, making their struggles and successes resonate deeply.

The Instrumentalist is a rich, immersive novel that beautifully intertwines ambition, art, and the human spirit. It's a poignant reminder of those who are often left in the shadows of history, and a celebration of the power of music and resilience.

Vibrant historical fiction for fans of Vivaldi, Violins and Venice.

This book was part of the often prize prescient Observer Debut Novel List - and I am pretty confident this book will feature on the Women’s Prize in 2025 and may well appear on some other debut novel lists.

Although this was an e-ARC the hard copy looks fantastically produced and I will be looking to buy it on publication date.

This is a slow read, but I wouldn't describe it as gentle. There is no shying away from the realities of life in the early 18th century, particularly when it comes to the treatment of children and women. The description says it's perfect for fans of 'The Miniaturist' and I agree completely. It has that same sense of a story flowing through the underbelly of life in a bustling city. The other comparison I drew was to Eleanor Herman's excellent book 'Mistress of The Vatican' about Olimpia Maidalchini, a century before Anna. Whilst the women's characters were, in many ways, vastly different, they each possessed a vision of how they wanted their lives to be and the tenacity (and sometimes ruthlessness) of spirit, to ensure their vision was fulfilled. There are multiple reasons why Anna is determined to become part of the figlie and nothing is allowed to stand in the way of that dream, no matter what the personal cost to her, or those around her.

When I'm reading for review, I like to think about the perfect place to read the book, if I was reading it purely for pleasure and this is one to read in the garden over a glass or two of Italian wine. It has that leisurely feel to it; the story will progress at its own pace and will give you time to enjoy the view as it winds its way through the canals and alleys of Venice. It effortlessly immerses you in the world between its covers as you follow Anna-Marie's journey from abandoned baby to premier musician.

An interesting read based on a real woman who reached great musical heights and was a progidy at eight. The lives of the girls in the convent were very hard but they did get an education and Anna Maria, the child of a prostitute that was pushed through a hole into the convent, knew the path she wanted to tread.

Based on the true story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a Venetian orphan and violinist who studied under Antonio Vivaldi, The Instrumentalist is a beautiful debut from Harriet Constable.

We're taken back to Venice, 1965, where eigjt year old Anna Maria first meets Vivaldi, who recognises her talent and immediately takes her under his wing.

This book is definitely one that any fellow historical fiction fan will enjoy, and has everything you would want from this genre. It's gripping from start to finish, and I'll not be forgetting Anna Maria's story any time soon!

Huge thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for my advanced copy!

This novel is part romance, part historical fiction, part allegory about a violin virtuoso in the early eighteenth century. That this prodigy is female, has been abandoned at an orphanage as a baby, and lives in Venice, only adds to the novel’s appeal – what reader would not wish to explore what happens to the enigmatic character of Anna Maria della Pietà that Harriet Constable sketches out for us? The literary depictions of her musical prowess juggle for attention with the portrayal of life at the orphanage, impressions of the poor and the rich against the mesmerising canalside canvas of Venice. I found myself drawn into the fate of Anna Maria and finished the book wishing that her adulthood had been explored in greater depth – but perhaps Harriet Constable intends to do so in her next novel? Overall, ‘Instrumentalist’ represents an extraordinary debut and one that deserves as wide a readership as possible. Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for the free ARC that I received in exchange for this unbiased review.

He lifts his arms. They lift their instruments.
A curl of red from the violins, a spiral of gold from the cellos.
And his face instantly drops.
Because this is not what he planned. This is not what he expected at all. [loc. 4840]

As a baby, Anna Maria della Pietà is deposited at the Ospedale della Pietà by her sex-worker mother. Like her mother, Anna Maria 'sees' colours. She is a naturally gifted musician, and attracts the attention of the music master, who agrees to teach her. (His full name is not given in the text, but he is Antonio Vivaldi.) Anna Maria grows up determined to make a name for herself, sacrificing everything -- especially friendship -- for her ambition to be a famous composer. She certainly receives a great deal of popular acclaim, and the famous Tartini declares her 'maestro'. But this is 18th-century Venice, and her teacher (having taught her and the other girls of the figlie di coro to compose in his own style) makes it clear that no female name shall appear on any of the compositions they have worked on together.

Constable evokes the sounds, scents and tastes of Anna Maria's world, from the fish and salt and spices of the waterfront to the colours of the music that drifts through Anna Maria's dreams of drowning. Though Anna Maria's life is sheltered, the darker realities of life are never far away: illness, unwanted pregnancy, theft, the men who attend concerts solely because they wish to marry Pietà girls. And the girls themselves can be cruel -- Anna Maria most definitely included.

Perhaps the novel would have been better without the introductory chapter, describing Anna Maria's conception and birth and the origin of her nightmares about drowning: and perhaps her behaviour is sometimes anachronistic. But her rage at her teacher's duplicity, and her determination to perfect her art, are all too familiar, and Constable weaves an engaging account of Anna Maria's disillusionment, and her vengeance. The novel is well-researched and the author's afterword provides a useful list of sources, and a summary of Anna Maria's life after the end of The Instrumentalist.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this full honest review. UK Publication Date is 15 AUG 2024.

I am a massive fan of all classical music and Vivaldi is a composer I love so I was thrilled when I was approved to read this book and it was a stunning read.
I didn’t know the story or even the existence of Anna Maria della Pietà and very soon I was completely absorbed in the wonderful and at times heartbreaking lives of Anna Maria and those around her.
Set in Venice in the 18th century Harriet Constable has done a fabulous job of describing the sights, sounds and people of the era painting breathtaking pictures in my mind so vivid that it also felt like the music was playing in my ears also.
I must add I loved the inclusion of the devils trill by Tartini it’s a piece of music I listen to often so that made the book even more special.
The book has been so well researched and crafted I really cannot praise it enough it’s a read that had so much to love about it and as music and reading are my passion it’s a book that I will always treasure and many many thanks to the author for a read I won’t forget and would highly recommend.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Instrumentalist is an engaging, enchanting story painted in beautiful pictures. I could practically hear the music coming off the pages. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, engaging, enraging and very human. Would definitely recommend!

The first thing I will say is - COVER GOALS! Oh how beautiful it is. Even more so since I've watched the video about how they constructed it.

This is a story I knew nothing about. Of course, like most classical music fans, I knew of Vivaldi and his talent, but the work of Anna Maria della Pietà had passed me by.

Within the very first paragraph you get a real sense of Italy in the late 1600s. Harriet's done such a great job of creating a sense of space, which means it's easier to get sucked into the story as she puts you right in the middle of it.

I learnt the violin when I was at primary school, about 9-10 years old. I thought I was rather good - my parents thought otherwise. But the reason I gave it up? Because I'm lazy. I would have my daily lesson and then pop it in my teacher's cupboard to pick up before I went home. And without fail, every single day, I'd be halfway home before I'd realise I'd forgotten it, and I would have to walk back and get it. Every. Single. Day. Now, keep in mind I only live about a 10 minute walk from the school, maybe 15 with my child legs. But I was so lazy, that meant enough to give it up. And I regret that constantly. And now I still love listening to classical music and watching orchestras, and so this story really spoke to me. The way Harriet has described Anna's love of music and the violin is just magical.

It is such an easy book to read. It flows along so well that 300+ pages just disappears. It took me am atter of hours to read, so reluctant was I to leave it.

I did a little bit of Googling and found out that Harriet grew up playing the flute and piano alongside her classically trained mother. And this explains the emotions she's managed to evoke about music. Unless you know music, really know music, then its hard to put down into words just what it can do, what it can mean, and it's obvious in each line that music is in her blood.

An observation (not a negative) is that it doesn't have a huge amount of plot. This is all about character and about music and amotions, and I like it all the more for that. There's only so many times you can write about a violin rehearsal or a concert or a dinner before they blend into one. But by exploring the characters and how the music makes them feel, it feels fuller than if it was "just" a plot heavy story. In my opinion, this is about how it makes the reader feel, rather than the literal journey they go on. And I really loved that.

I believe this is Harriet's debut novel, which is very impressive and bodes well for any future releases.

If you're looking for a book about empowerment, strength, ambition, joy, love, friendship, talent, ambition, and the importance of women behind achievements credited to men, then this is the one for you.

“The Instrumentalist” is based on the true story of Anna Maria, a real life violinist and composer living in Venice in the early 1700s. She was abandoned by her mother when she was a baby and grew up with hundreds of other orphan girls at the Ospedale della Pietà. But Anna Maria is special. When she hears a violin being played for the first time, she falls in love and sets out to become the greatest violinist and composer. When the maestro at the Ospedale della Pietà chooses her as his star pupil, she realises she has to do everything to keep this position, please this great man and escape from the bleak future ahead of her. However, the better she gets, the more she has to risk everything.

I really enjoyed this book. I knew nothing of the story, the orchestra of the Ospedale della Pietà and the involvement they had with the music of Vivaldi. Although I’m not shocked that their involvement has been largely written out of history as they were all women and girls! I really liked the character of Anna Maria and the way she saw music as colours. It really made me think about music differently. She can be quite frustrating in her obsession with being the best but at no point did it feel unrealistic.

My one criticism would be that, given we are told the whole story from Anna Maria’s perspective, I didn’t feel there was enough differentiation between the way she thought as she grew up.

But overall this is a really good book which sheds light on a fascinating part of musical history and the people, importantly the women, involved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

A fine piece of historical fiction that tells the story of Anna Maria della Pièta. I'd heard of the Pièta but not about Anna Maria - not just one of the most accomplished violinists but a Master of Music at the orphanage - a very unusual post for a woman to have in the 1700s.

Harriet Constable has pulled together as much factual information she could about Anna Maria in order to tell a fictional tale of how the orphaned girl came to prominence. She was taught (as many were) by Antonio Vivaldi. The inference that the girls themselves played a significant part in Vivaldi's compositions is not difficult to believe knowing all that we do now about how big a role women played in successful men's success stories.

This is a really interesting and engaging story. I listened to quite a few of the compositions (Vivaldi's) as I read the book. He's not my favourite composer but he was an excellent composer.

I'd definitely recommend this book whether you are musically minded or not. It's a good story, well told.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advance review copy.

A ‘creative’ telling, vibrant and infused with colour, the story, centring on the life of musician and composer Anna Maria della Pietà, moves along at the perfect pace. It is rich. It is descriptive. It shines a light on the losses and triumphs of our central character as well as her relationships with those around her.

As an aside. I knew, of course, of Vivaldi. I knew nothing of Anna Maria nor of any of the countless girls and women who helped to shape music ‘created’ and made famous by men. When I next listen to the Four Seasons I will appreciate anew the genius of its composer(s.)

I devoured this book!!
Read it in 24hours and now I feel like I'm missing those people I was reading about.
I discovered so much about Vivaldi and especially Anna Maria della Pietà, who I didn't even know existed.
The writing was excellent, the story was excellent.
I loved it!

I enjoyed the book based on the life of Anna Maria della Pietà. She became a celebrated violinist in Venice thanks to her initial mentoring by Vivaldi. With all fictional stories based on truth, it is difficult to know how much fact Constable included in the book. Anna Maria is portrayed as an ambitious diva. I would have liked to have known more about her later life as she lived in the orphanage all her life having become maestro. Having read the book and the author's notes I would now like to read a factual account of her life.

This is a beautifully written and incisive novel about music, creativity, art, ambition and what people do to become the best.

Anna Maria della Pieta is a young musical protégée, working under the tutelage of the great Antonio Vivaldi at the Ospedale della Pieta - an orphanage for young girls in Venice. Abandoned as a baby by her young and impoverished mother, Anna Maria’s talent is apparent from a young girl age. Not only can she feel the music that she plays on her violin, her synaesthesia means that she can see its colours too. As she rises through the ranks of the Ospedale’s celebrated orchestra, the Figlie, her fame rises as does her desire for greater recognition and power. However, as an orphaned girl in early eighteenth century Venice, her options become squeezed as her mentor’s fear and envy of her talent increases.

This book asks so many poignant questions. Is it fair to educate these brilliant young minds, only to deny them the true credit that they deserve? What price does friendship pay when the chance for greatness arises? What do we sacrifice of ourselves when ambition takes a very deep root?

Based on the true story of Anna Maria della Pieta, this is a moving and utterly engrossing read. Five stars all the way!

Anna Maria della Pieta was sent to an orphanage as a baby by her mother. The orphanage teaches and equips the young girls in music amongst other things and it is apparent from a young age that Anna Maria has a real talent.

Under the tutorage of Vivaldi, Anna Maria's music begins to flourish and has her eyes set on becoming a Maestro.

Harriet Constable takes the reader on a journey through both the rich and poor sides of 18t century Venice through the fictional tale of two real life characters - Antonio Vivaldi and Anna Maria della Pieta.

An enjoyable read for anyone interested in historical fiction and in particular musical history.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for the ARC.

This book was so powerful. I loved reading the journey of Anna, the struggles, i felt them all. I really wanted the very best for her. I loved her ambition throughout, made me want to have some of that ambition myself.