Description
The Virtuoso by Margriet de Moor is a mesmerising historical novel set in the opulent, intrigue-laden world of 18th-century Naples. This prizewinning work follows the unconventional love story between Carlotta, a refined Neapolitan duchess, and Gasparo, a celebrated castrato whose extraordinary voice captivates audiences and commands the adoration of aristocrats. Bound by a shared past in a small Italian village, the two find themselves reunited as adults in a world governed by power, music, and unspoken desires.
De Moor vividly evokes the sensuality and elegance of Naples’ musical scene, painting a world of candlelit opera houses, lavish carriages, and harbour shadows. Through rich prose and delicate psychological insight, the novel explores themes of longing, obsession, and societal constraint. First published in Holland and translated into thirteen languages, The Virtuoso has enchanted readers worldwide with its lyrical storytelling and intimate portrait of an impossible passion.
A must-read for lovers of literary historical fiction and evocative European settings, The Virtuoso offers a tender, beautifully crafted narrative of art, identity, and forbidden love.
