
A subtle blend of short fiction and lyrical interludes invites listeners into a world where music and narrative echo each other’s moods. The author, a keen observer of everyday theater, threads together seven tales with brief poetic “intermezzi” that capture the fleeting emotions stirred by a single melody. These moments of sound become almost invisible characters, shaping the atmosphere without ever dominating the story.
The opening story, set in the quiet resort of San Bernardino, introduces a mysterious young woman known only as Fedele. She arrives alone, her presence a quiet ripple among the hotel’s chatter, drawing the curious eyes of guests who speculate about her origins and motives. As a game of chess unfolds in the salon, the delicate interplay of conversation, music, and unspoken desire hints at deeper layers of secrecy and social performance, promising a thoughtful exploration of how appearances can both conceal and reveal.
Language
it
Duration
~3 hours (211K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Barbara Magni and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2018-05-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1842–1911
A leading Italian novelist and poet of the late 19th century, he wrote deeply felt stories that blend faith, doubt, love, and social change. His best-known books helped shape modern Italian literature and still draw readers with their emotional and spiritual intensity.
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