Riven Bonds. Vol. I. A Novel, in Two Volumes

"Riven Bonds. Vol. I." by E. Werner is a novel from the late 1800s that takes place in a bustling North German town, focusing on the intense connection between Reinhold Almbach, a young businessman, and Signora Biancona, a captivating singer, amidst societal constraints and family expectations. Woven with ambition, affection, and the desire for artistic freedom, the story kicks off with an exciting opera scene where Signora Biancona mesmerizes the audience, followed by a reception where we meet characters like the judgmental Dr. Welding and the mysterious Reinhold Almbach, who finds himself drawn to Biancona’s talent and allure. Reinhold's personal life is complex, with a marriage to Ella and discontent over his family's limited view of music, and his rising connection to Biancona foreshadows future conflicts as he grapples with family duties and his artistic dreams, setting the stage for a battle between obligation and longing.