F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
Stradella
"Stradella" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in Venice and revolves around the lives of a wealthy senator, Michele Pignaver, and his niece, Ortensia, who is an accomplished young woman but is forced into an unwanted marriage with her uncle. Central to the plot is the arrival of the talented musician and composer Alessandro Stradella, whose presence threatens the senator’s plans and ignites a passionate and tumultuous romance with Ortensia. The opening of the novel sets the stage for a complex interweaving of music, love, and societal expectations. It introduces us to Senator Pignaver, a man of culture and ambition, who, having decided to marry his orphaned niece, views the arrangement as a favor done for her, not realizing her inner turmoil. As Ortensia grapples with her feelings about her forthcoming marriage and her growing attraction to Stradella, the stage is ripe for conflicts involving artistic integrity, the constraints of society, and the pursuit of true love. The dynamic among these characters hints at a story filled with emotional tension and the struggles against oppressive social norms.