A Roman Singer

"A Roman Singer" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel about a young, talented tenor named Nino Cardegna, raised by Cornelio Grandi, a professor. Nino's musical gift takes center stage as he studies under Maestro Ercole De Pretis, fueling his passion for singing and setting him on a path vastly different from Cornelio’s scholarly expectations. His extraordinary voice and growing ambition become entangled with his feelings for Hedwig von Lira, a countess, which presents challenges due to social barriers and expectations surrounding their relationship. The novel explores elements of love and ambition, as Nino's fate intertwines with Hedwig’s against the backdrop of societal norms.