Can a temperamental, love-struck young church composer muster up enough wit and courage to take on a sadistic, child-molesting priest? A vengeful church? How about a brutal neighborhood crime boss?
The setting is Genoa Italy, May of 1555. The high Renaissance is in full bloom. Smart, talented, and handsome, Nicolo Di Cottano is a twenty-four year old church composer and music director out seeking love, happiness, and artistic validation. Complicating matters, however, is that he is also bipolar, half Jewish, agnostic, sexually adventurous, and suddenly falling in love with the woman of his dreams. Stir in an ambitious, sociopathic priest, a longstanding conspiracy of silence, a vindictive new Pope, a ruthless neighborhood crime boss, and even a bit of humor; then try to imagine the results. Needless to say, it all blends into quite a stew.
Set among a colorful cast of memorable characters, all portrayed within a vivid Renaissance backdrop, Nicolo is forced to grapple with more trouble than he knows how to deal with, not the least of which involves battling his own longstanding demons. Clearly out of his league, will the young and naïve Maestro be up to the match, or will he meet his end as just another forgotten casualty of dire circumstances?
The setting is Genoa Italy, May of 1555. The high Renaissance is in full bloom. Smart, talented, and handsome, Nicolo Di Cottano is a twenty-four year old church composer and music director out seeking love, happiness, and artistic validation. Complicating matters, however, is that he is also bipolar, half Jewish, agnostic, sexually adventurous, and suddenly falling in love with the woman of his dreams. Stir in an ambitious, sociopathic priest, a longstanding conspiracy of silence, a vindictive new Pope, a ruthless neighborhood crime boss, and even a bit of humor; then try to imagine the results. Needless to say, it all blends into quite a stew.
Set among a colorful cast of memorable characters, all portrayed within a vivid Renaissance backdrop, Nicolo is forced to grapple with more trouble than he knows how to deal with, not the least of which involves battling his own longstanding demons. Clearly out of his league, will the young and naïve Maestro be up to the match, or will he meet his end as just another forgotten casualty of dire circumstances?