Stradella

"Stradella" by F. Marion Crawford is a captivating story about love and freedom during a time of societal constraints. In Venice, a rich senator, Michele Pignaver, plans to marry his niece, Ortensia, to keep his family's wealth in the family, blind to the young woman's dreams. When Alessandro Stradella, a gifted musician, arrives, he stirs a passionate connection with Ortensia, challenging the senator's sinister plans and Ortensia's unwanted marital fate. The tale unfolds with emotional intensity, following the struggles of its characters against the limitations imposed by society, and the burning pursuit of artistic expression and authentic love.