New Historical Novel Explores Orphan Musician's Journey in Renaissance Venice

The upcoming historical novel 'Venice, 1710 Poinsettia Girl' by Jennifer Wizbowski brings to life the remarkable story of Agata de la Pieta, a young orphan musician navigating the complex world of Renaissance Venice's prestigious music conservatories. Based on historical accounts of the Ospedale de la Pieta orphanage, the novel explores the intersection of art, identity, and personal choice during a transformative period in European cultural history.

Set in 1710 Venice, the story follows ten-year-old Agata whose world is shattered by her mother's sudden death. Left with her musician father, her ailing grandmother sends her to the famous Ospedale de la Pieta orphanage, separating her from everything familiar. The institution operates a conservatory-style music school where music serves as both salvation and spectacle for the young residents.

The novel vividly portrays the unique position of these orphan musicians who performed hidden behind ornate metal grates, adorned with poinsettias in their hair. Their veiled presence created an aura of mystery, with their ethereal music drawing noble audiences including young men who saw them not only for their musical talent but as potential marriage prizes. This dynamic reflects the complex social structures of the time, where artistic talent could both elevate and constrain young women's life choices.

As Agata reaches the height of her musical journey, she faces a pivotal moment when a marriage proposal from someone outside the audience offers the promise of a new life. The opportunity represents a return to the old neighborhood she has longed for and a home she barely remembers. This creates a profound internal conflict as she must choose between the music that has defined her existence and the hope of belonging to a family.

The novel's exploration of this dilemma speaks to universal questions about purpose and identity that remain relevant today. Wizbowski, who holds a bachelor's in English literature with a minor in music and a secondary teaching credential, brings both literary and musical expertise to the project. Her background includes writing for local business journals, classroom teaching, and authoring a Teen and Tween column for a parent magazine.

The book is published by https://www.historiumpress.com, a hybrid book publisher specializing in historical fiction. Historium Press focuses on historical books across multiple subgenres including literary, romance, mystery, fantasy, biography, adventure, young adult, thriller, and nonfiction. The publisher offers special hybrid packages for historical authors seeking quality publishing combined with book marketing and public relations support.

Available in both hardcover (ISBN: 978-1964700441) and paperback (ISBN: 978-1964700434) formats, the novel can be ordered through Ingram Distributors with a 55% wholesale discount and returnable terms. Wizbowski's work continues her mission of illuminating everyday women's stories often lost in historical shadows, revealing how they became heroines of their own time and place. The author maintains an online presence at https://www.gossamermedia.com where readers can find additional information about her literary projects.

This historical narrative matters because it sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of women in musical history and the complex choices they faced between artistic dedication and personal fulfillment. The novel's examination of these themes provides valuable insight into historical gender dynamics while exploring timeless questions about the relationship between artistic passion and human connection that continue to resonate in contemporary society.