
Set against the winding rivers and stone arches of mid‑19th‑century Nantes, the story follows a precocious child named Camilla who grows up in a modest household steeped in music. Her father, a flautist in the local theatre and organist on Sundays, fills their home with melody, while the bustling market streets and river quays provide a vivid backdrop to her early days. From the moment she first touches a violin at the age of four, the instrument becomes both a comfort and a challenge in a world that offers little for a young woman aspiring to a professional career.
Camilla’s determination leads her to seek instruction wherever it can be found, from the cramped rehearsal rooms of the theatre to the solemn aisles of the nearby church. The narrative captures her relentless practice, the skepticism of those around her, and the modest triumphs that keep her fingers dancing across the strings. As the first act closes, she stands on the cusp of a pivotal opportunity that could turn her quiet devotion into a public testament of talent.
Full title
Camilla: A Tale of a Violin Being the Artist Life of Camilla Urso
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (195K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Irma Spehar, Markus Brenner and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2010-02-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1838–1920
A versatile 19th-century American writer, he moved through several careers before finding his place in journalism and popular magazines. His work ranged from reporting and essays to fiction and books for young readers, reflecting a lively curiosity about everyday life and culture.
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