Wow!! This book is just extraordinary!! With evocative atmospheric descriptions of Venice and the colours of music, this story is enthralling and captivating from the start. A beautiful compelling and at times quite startling a read. I was entranced from the very beginning. There is history with the beauty of Venice and its astonishing music. This book has it all.
Anna Maria was born into a stark world within the underbelly of a patriarchal city and society. She understands only that she is destined for great things with her music within an orphanage run by the church.
Her maestro is Antonio Vivaldi who is a complex demanding man but who recognises her very core. Their connection and relationship is compulsive and intriguing.
The journey of Anna Maria’s life is at times harsh and unforgiving but also so totally fascinating.
Enthralled from the very beginning, beautifully written and crafted. This is my book of the year!!
I loved every page, all the passages and bridges of Venice and its islands.
Hugely and highly recommended this is a new classic and a must read for any music lover.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishers for the opportunity to read early.

I loved this book the character were well written. I really liked the writing style of this book and will definitely read more by this author

What a fabulous book. I absolutely ate this up reading it in one sitting apart from a lunch break. It really was that good. A historical retelling inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pietà a violinist, composer and teacher who was taught by Antonio Vivaldi and spent her whole life living at the Ospedale della Pietà, Venice - a convent where unwanted female babies were raised. Back to the story. A baby is left in the hole in the wall at the orphanage run by nuns. After being branded with the letter P and given the name Anna Maria she is brought up in this loveless environment with just two close friends. But she always believed she was destined for greatness.

Briefly, 1704, aged just 8 Anna Maria starts her dramatic journey learning the violin, receiving individual lessons from “Maestro” her skills with the violin are soon recognised both within and outside of the orphanage. But life isn’t a bed of roses. There are unkind nuns, the rules are strict, food is poor and living conditions are basic but there is a way to make things better - it will be at the exclusion of everyone and everything else. But Anna Maria thinks it’s worth it…

Clearly well researched this is a wonderful read, one of my favourites this year without doubt. Anna Maria is a great character who is obsessed in her desires to achieve notoriety as a maestro. Her gift of seeing and feeling music in colours is something she can’t share with anyone but it is part of her; part of her skill. However, her ambition didn’t always mean she made good choices. If you enjoy historical retellings then I really think you will enjoy this, it’s well written and such a brilliant storyline. An amazing story of ambition overcoming expectations and of an institution that was party to, against all the odds, producing many successful musicians and its musicians composing some great music. An inspiring and touching book.

This is an absorbing debut about an exceptionally talented violinist in 18th century Venice. As a baby Anna Maria was left in the care of nuns at the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage and music school. She first held a violin at eight years old, and even then her potential was evident, but her drive to succeed as a musician and composer chips away at her friendships and her health. I was drawn into Anna Maria’s simultaneous rise to musical acclaim and fall to lonely self-absorption as she faces difficult lessons about what is really important. As a content note, Anna Maria has a very intense relationship with her violin teacher and there are several indications of grooming, but this never progresses to sexual assault.

The reason it wasn’t a five star read for me is that sometimes Anna Maria’s attitudes stretched credulity as an orphan raised in poverty by nuns who are notably lacking in tenderness and time for child-rearing. That may not be problem for reader who enjoy modern sensibilities in their historical fiction; I am unfortunately not one of them.

The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable blends accurate historical fact and artistic licence to create a great storyline. The plot centres around violinist Anna Maria della Pietà and her teacher, Antonio Vivaldi and is set in the mid-18th Century. Vivaldi is Maestro of the famous Orchestra della Pietà, drawn from the girls of the Ospedale della Pietà, a convent, orphanage and music school in Venice. It is a story of love and loss, passion and disappointment. I loved this book - no need to understand anything about the music but equally, if you're a musician its a great read.

First of all , I would like to thank harriet and Bloomsbury publishing uk For letter.
Me review such a wonderful book.

I think this is the most beautiful Historic fiction.I have read in a long time Anne marie the main character lives In A orphanage inveness in the early Eighteenth century, I thought This character had such determination and very Courageous.

With the world being Search a different place to live back then , It shows how hope it's such a strong feeling and something that is needed in a time of darkness.

I studied music myself and I absolutely loved it , You could see how it brought anna marie .As a main character to life.

The book gave me all sorts of feelings and made me feel that in the life of hardship , there is also love.

I'm giving this book a stong 5 stars

The Instrumentalist is an exceptional historical fiction debut from Harriet Constable, telling a fictionalised version of the story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a real historical musician who studied under Vivaldi. From the opening paragraph the author sweeps us away to eighteenth century Venice, so vividly describing the sights, sounds and smells that the reader feels fully transported to another time and place. A baby is born to a young prostitute and surrendered to the Ospedale della Pieta through a gap in the wall created for just that purpose. That baby grows into a young girl with a prodigious musical talent and a unique ability to see musical notes as colours , something that makes music as much of a visual experience for her as an aural one. She dreams of joining the orphanage's musical ensemble when she is older, not just because of her love of music but also because of the safety and security it would provide for her future. When a new music teacher is appointed he introduces her to the violin and she finds her true vocation. She may be Vivaldi's star pupil but she is still an orphan and worse still a girl, so the odds will always be stacked against her and when her talent threatens to outshine that of her Maestro her future is far from certain.
This is a wonderfully written story about a woman whose story has largely been lost in time. Anna Maria is not always a likeable character, in fact she is often downright unpleasant and almost cruel in her single minded pursuit of excellence, especially in the first half of the book. That being said, I sill found myself rooting for her success. She may have been ruthless in her ambitions but she had the talent to back it up, and I even found myself enraged on her behalf at times. To quote her conversation with her former teacher "You have made us just clever enough to understand all that has been taken, all we cannot do. Why teach us how to use our minds just to bar us from their riches? How can you be so cruel?" This is a sentiment that has so many applications and examples when it comes to women in history, and I am glad that the author chose to shed light on one of them.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own

This is a book to savour and which remains in thoughts for a long time.
Based around real people in Venice at the beginning of the eighteenth century, this is a story of determination, brilliance and forgotten history.
Venice, 1695, a baby is placed in a.hole in the wall of the Pieta orphanage to be raised by nuns. Anna-Maria della Pieta will grow up determined to become a maestro. She is a talented musician and sees music and sound as colours which dance around and inspire her to compose in secret.
The fabulous orchestra ,comprising of girls from the orphanage, play throughout Venice under the tutor ledge of a famed composer, who whilst not named directly is hinted at throughout.
This amazing story is written with such detail, compassion and colour entwines fact with fiction and produces a snapshot of female life at that time..

I’m a sucker for all things Venetian so opening a book with the ringing of the Marangona and a dash to Rialto gets my vote. Add in my penchant for convent histories and youth spent playing the violin and this is definitely a book for me. The protagonist Anna Maria was an orphan of the Ospedale della Pietà, the convent, orphanage and music school renowned in Venice and beyond for the quality of its music and the tenure of one Antonio Vivaldi as teacher.
Anna Maria has long been adept at music, seeing sounds as colours, and is determined to join the elite figlie di coro which would allow her to cultivate her love of music as well as protecting her from perpetual work in the orphanage or an unchosen marriage. But it’s the appearance of Vivaldi and introduction to the violin that really sparks her passion. His is a fragile ego that doesn’t cope well with criticism. Anna Maria turns a blind eye to his flashes of cruelty and impatience with others; they are, after all, her rivals. Being his favourite comes with something more sinister. Having just read Rachel Blackmore’s Costanza and given what’s in the news these days, I felt queasy when he singles her out for special practice, keeps her apart from the other girls, and swears her to secrecy about their shared endeavours. Call it grooming or coercive control, it’s grim either way.
Anna Maria’s single-mindedness and determination come at a cost to her and others. But I’m prepared to cut her a little slack; she’s an orphan, raised without kindness (the babies were even branded on arrival!), an impetuous, brilliant teenager with huge ambition. She knows that to be remembered is everything; Harriet Constable has gone a long way to making sure that the name of Anna Maria della Pietà will be famous once more.

The book tells the imagined story of a real life character called Anna Maria who was an orphan but a very talented musician. She is trained in an orphanage by none other than Vivaldi. The story attempts to give her the palace in history she should have occupied. Whilst I applaud the sentiment, I didn’t get any sense of history or place from this novel. Anna Maria felt like a modern character transported into another time, place and station without making many changes. 2.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

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.