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The Composer
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
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As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 1910
4 people want to read
About the author
Agnes Castle
85 books1 followerBorn Agnes Sweetman.
She and her husband Egerton Castle wrote many of their books together. Her sisters Elinor Sweetman and M.E. Francis were also writers.
She and her husband Egerton Castle wrote many of their books together. Her sisters Elinor Sweetman and M.E. Francis were also writers.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 19, 2016
4.5 Stars
This is the story of a pleasant young man helplessly in love with an aspiring opera singer, a naive but talented protege. More importantly, it's the story of the great composer Lothario, an almost superhuman artist who dominates, engulfs, tortures, consumes and inspires great ART while madness follows in a wake behind him.
The authors take their time in laying the foundation here, I'll admit I wasn't fully invested in the story until the halfway point where all the soul grinding agony begins and Sarolta falls under the master's spell. We watch her somewhat uneasily, as she soars to a pinnacle of glory so high that only despair can possibly follow, and her reemergence as if from the grave itself, a glowing ember buried deep in ashes but stronger for surviving.
there is the flame, my dear...it was red all the time, under the white"
Beautiful story for all lovers of art and music.
Recommended for those who enjoyed "Voices of Summer" by Diane Pearson, "The Constant Nymph" by Margaret Kennedy and of course, "The Phantom of the Opera".
This is the story of a pleasant young man helplessly in love with an aspiring opera singer, a naive but talented protege. More importantly, it's the story of the great composer Lothario, an almost superhuman artist who dominates, engulfs, tortures, consumes and inspires great ART while madness follows in a wake behind him.
The authors take their time in laying the foundation here, I'll admit I wasn't fully invested in the story until the halfway point where all the soul grinding agony begins and Sarolta falls under the master's spell. We watch her somewhat uneasily, as she soars to a pinnacle of glory so high that only despair can possibly follow, and her reemergence as if from the grave itself, a glowing ember buried deep in ashes but stronger for surviving.
there is the flame, my dear...it was red all the time, under the white"
Beautiful story for all lovers of art and music.
Recommended for those who enjoyed "Voices of Summer" by Diane Pearson, "The Constant Nymph" by Margaret Kennedy and of course, "The Phantom of the Opera".
May 2, 2016
What is it about music, that is so beautiful, so heart-wrenchingly tragic, yet has a spark of hope for better things to come?
As with all the wonderful musical/operatic books I've read, The Voices Of Summer, The Phantom of the Opera and The First Violin, there's an element of tragedy, the kind where I'm not sure if it's just me feeling tragic or if there really is a tragedy.
The same feeling assaults me in The Composer. And yet, it's an excellent story that anyone who has enjoyed the other music books mentioned, will probably like.
The plot put simply:
Jonny, a young gentleman has fallen in love with a beautiful young soprano, and it's not because of her voice. He hasn't ears for music, it's just something he sees in her. (Wish I had seen it) Like a dog, he worships her.
Sarolta, the young soprano and Sady her friend both are being trained by a famous opera teacher, someone who is close with the musical genius of the century, Lothnar.
Lothnar, the genius, the mad composer, goes to this opera teacher and picks out a singer for his new production, Iphigenia. He picks Sarolta, she will be His Singer, His Reed to Pipe His Music.
Sarolta soars high, so few singers ever received Lothnar's approval.But what will it take to remain in his favor, when she is to play to the sound of his song.
What of poor faithful Jonny?
This was well written and halfway the excitement really got going. Since the story is an opera, I don't feel I can grumble about the ending. But all that same there are some things I'd have liked to end differently. I think Lothnar, however receives all he deserves in full.
G No swears or violence.
As with all the wonderful musical/operatic books I've read, The Voices Of Summer, The Phantom of the Opera and The First Violin, there's an element of tragedy, the kind where I'm not sure if it's just me feeling tragic or if there really is a tragedy.
The same feeling assaults me in The Composer. And yet, it's an excellent story that anyone who has enjoyed the other music books mentioned, will probably like.
The plot put simply:
Jonny, a young gentleman has fallen in love with a beautiful young soprano, and it's not because of her voice. He hasn't ears for music, it's just something he sees in her. (Wish I had seen it) Like a dog, he worships her.
Sarolta, the young soprano and Sady her friend both are being trained by a famous opera teacher, someone who is close with the musical genius of the century, Lothnar.
Lothnar, the genius, the mad composer, goes to this opera teacher and picks out a singer for his new production, Iphigenia. He picks Sarolta, she will be His Singer, His Reed to Pipe His Music.
Sarolta soars high, so few singers ever received Lothnar's approval.But what will it take to remain in his favor, when she is to play to the sound of his song.
What of poor faithful Jonny?
This was well written and halfway the excitement really got going. Since the story is an opera, I don't feel I can grumble about the ending. But all that same there are some things I'd have liked to end differently. I think Lothnar, however receives all he deserves in full.
G No swears or violence.
did-not-finish
October 18, 2021I like to read historical fiction "around" music. I loved e.g. The First Violin and Magic Flutes. But I just couldn't get involved in this one.
Nonetheless, I will try another book by the author someday.
Nonetheless, I will try another book by the author someday.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews