Vivaldi, a thieving tyrant? This novel is an atmospheric thrill

The Instrumentalist, a superb historical debut by Harriet Constable, tracks Anna Maria, Prodigal violinist, into Venice’s menacing heart.

The Telegraph

The Instrumentalist is NPR’s Book of the Day

'The Instrumentalist' is a story about music, imagination and Anna Maria della Pietà. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Harriet Constable about her debut novel

NPR

Meet the 10 best new novelists for 2024

The Instrumentalist [is] an immersive, impassioned tale full of colour and sound that depicts Anna Maria as a driven prodigy whose talent will empower and imperil her.

The Observer

She was a pioneering but forgotton musician. Now she’s a literary hero

Harriet Constable paints a vivid and nuanced portrait of the groundbreaking 18th century violinist and conductor Anna Maria della Pietà.

The New York Times

Fiction: Harriet Constable’s The Instrumentalist

The Instrumentalist illuminates the fascinating history of the figlie di coro, or “daughters of the choir,” the most renowned musical ensemble in 18th-century Venice.

The Wall Street Journal

A compelling tale of Vivaldi’s musical protege

Journalist and documentary-maker Harriet Constable’s compassionate coming-of-age tale, inspired by true events, explores youthful ambition and the allure of fame.

The Guardian

Pick of the Month: The Instrumentalist

Constable succeeds in telling an absorbing story of musical rivalry and ambition, and rescuing an unjustly forgotten woman of genius from history’s dustbin.

The Times