The Story of a Genius

A former virtuoso and celebrated socialite, Alphonse de Sterny has vanished from the public eye for years, leaving rumors of scandal and lost masterpieces in his wake. Now, a sensational announcement in the Brussels press promises his dramatic return, not as a pianist but as the conductor of a daring new oratorio titled “Satan.” The city’s artistic circles buzz with speculation, torn between admiration for his past brilliance and skepticism about this unconventional venture.

The story opens on a bleak November rehearsal in the Grand Harmonic, where fog‑filled air, flickering gas lights, and a restless chorus set a haunting mood. Among the musicians, a German piano teacher and a flamboyant “friend of Rossini” argue fiercely over the merits of modern music, foreshadowing the clash of old‑world tradition and avant‑garde ambition that will shape Sterny’s comeback. Listeners are drawn into a world of intrigue, artistic rivalry, and the lingering mystery of a genius poised on the brink of redemption.