The Queen's Soprano
by Carol Dines
Published by Harcourt
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Reviewed by Karen Morse
Seventeen-year-old Angelica Voglia loves to sing and has a gorgeous voice. She has the talent and the drive to be a world-renowned opera star. One problem: she's not allowed to sing in public.
Set in 17th century Rome and based on the life of a real historical personage, The Queen's Soprano is the story of one girl who challenges societal constraints to live her dream.
Angelica is the daughter of a glazier who lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Her mother longs for a better, more luxurious life and hopes to marry Angelica off to the highest bidder. Angelica, however, wants to make her own way. She wants to marry for love; but, more than that, she wants to sing.
After her musical gifts come to the attention of Pope Innocent XI, who calls her voice "the devil's breath," Angelica flees to the protection of Queen Christina of Sweden's court and becomes the queen's soprano. However, it is only after she leaves home that Angelica begins to learn about the world and about human nature.
A bit overbearing in its historicity, The Queen's Soprano is nevertheless an engaging work of historical fiction. Teenagers and especially teenage girls will find it easy to relate to Angelica, a sympathetic character who shares many of the same growing pains that they themselves are experiencing.
Armchair Interviews says a young adult novel with historical aspects but more important, about a young girl's struggles.