Summary of Stabat Mater
“Stabat Mater” is a historical novel set in Venice in the early 18th century. It centres on Cecilia, a 16-year-old girl living in the Pietà orphanage (the Ospedale della Pietà ), where girls are trained to become musicians and singers, performing their music behind a grille, hidden from the eyes of the audience. Cecilia is a tormented girl and a talented violinist, who is recognised as such by the orphanage’s new music teacher, the young priest and composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Reasons to read Stabat MaterÂ
“Stabat Mater” by Italian author Tiziano Scarpa is a brief but powerful historical novella about classical music in 18th-century Venice. Antonio Vivaldi actually lived and worked more than 30 years at the Pietà orphanage. “Stabat Mater” was awarded the Premio Strega, Italy’s most prestigious literary award, in 2009.
Setting: Venice (Italy)
Original title: Stabat Mater
Year of publication: 2009
Nr of pages: 176
