​The idea for the novel came while I was a living in Scotland, writing and housesitting five cottages near the Mull of Kintyre.
I had long thought that someone should make a film about Antonio Vivaldi focusing on his life’s work composing some of the world’s greatest music for the abandoned girls of 18th Century Venice (mostly the  illegitimate offspring of wealthy merchants and Venice’s infamous courtesan).
Having worked for years with female offenders I knew that our modern day treatment of girls who are unprotected and marginalized falls far short of offering them safe shelter let alone a musical education of the quality given to the girls of the Ospedale le Pieta.
When I learned that a fellow Australian Writers Centre graduate received a movie offer on her book the penny dropped. I would write the book and maybe….maybe …
As I started researching I learned about the recent discovery of Vivaldi’s  Ill Gran Mogul flute concerto in a Cistercian Abbey near Edinburgh. It was all too good to resist.
Seven years later here I am,  a published book in hand. I haven’t heard for Scott Hicks yet but maybe…maybe..