"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
What, then, to do with a body like Gasparo's? A native of the same village as Carlotta, at age 11 Gasparo underwent the infamous operation that would keep his soprano suitably pure. Years later, Carlotta hears him sing in the San Carlo theater and immediately falls into a fever of desire. One expects such a passion to be primarily metaphorical, and there is indeed something quixotic about her love for Gasparo, with his voice that "attests to a world beyond this world but which comes none the less from a body like every other: warm, full of obscure desires." Well, not quite like every other. A product of both prodigious natural gifts and prodigiously unnatural intervention, Gasparo is closer to a work of art than a man--but that doesn't prevent Carlotta from lusting after his bod. With some coaxing on her part, they manage to have an affair, the mechanics of which Carlotta by no means ignores in her breathless narration.
De Moor writes compellingly about beauty and art, but the book's real strength lies in her almost offhand depiction of Neapolitan aristocracy--its decadence, its playfulness, and even its casual cruelty. ("Only one boy in four fails to survive" Gasparo's operation, Carlotta breezily notes.) Reading The Virtuoso is like immersing yourself in another world entirely, one in which the central love affair makes beautiful sense. History is full of mutilation in the name of art; de Moor's triumph is to make the mutilation itself a subject of desire. --Mary Park
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: VeryGood. TRUST OUR FEEDBACK RATING - USED VERY GOOD .2. Construction of the book is very good i.e. Tight spine. No loose pages. Clean pages. No writing, highlighting, marks or underlining on the pages. Some page discoloration. Reasonably tidy looking front cover with only a few minor creases or marks. Boards are still in good condition. Hard and strong but not perfect. Minor shelf wear along the edges and sides of the book. All books are mailed out in a bubble wrap mailer to protect your purchase. Orders are ALWAYS shipped same day or next day with FREE TRACKING emailed to you automatically. (WE TRY HARD TO DESCRIBE OUR BOOKS ACCURATELY SO YOU CAN BUY WITH CONFIDENCE). Seller Inventory # 352D3X002ADT
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_370083875
Book Description Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00067605567
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+. First Edition. Small mark lower edge else as new. Seller Inventory # 1000132138
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 238001
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. First Edition / First Printing as identified with "1" in the full number line.Pages are clean and intact. Seller Inventory # mon0002235938
Book Description Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Very good hardcover, very good dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 180920-JM956
Book Description Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 10-1585670030-G
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First American Edition. Translated from the Dutch by Ina Rilke. Fine, in fine, mylar-protected dust jacket. L40. Seller Inventory # 8641