Anna Maria della Pieta was born in 1696 to a 17 year old prostitute in Venice. She was placed in a hole in the wall of the orphanage Ospedale della Pieta. Gathered from that hole by nuns on the other side of the wall, she would live her entire life there. But what a life. The orphanage believed in the education of the young women including music. It became famous for its figlie de coro - "daughters of the choir" - an all female orchestra. From the age of 8, Anna Maria was recognized as a musical prodigy on the violin. Experiencing what we would today term synesthesia, the colors of musical notes danced before and within her. She was championed by the music instructor at the orphanage - Antonio Vivaldi - the Vivaldi of the Four Seasons. It is their relationship that is most explored in this story. Was he a powerful mentor or a musical thief? It seems that there have been a lot of books written lately about women who, against all odds, have accomplished much and yet received little recognition. This is one of them. A bit overwritten but I'll take a little unknown history any time I can get it.
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