Journal of an Unknown Opera Singer

About the Book

The main characters of the story dip in and out of at least two, and in some cases three separate lifetimes. Such lives have a resonating effect on each other, paying no respect to our consideration of time or space.

In musical terms, the story highlights the slow, but continuing fall of the great Bel Canto Age.

From a humble shepherd boy carrying in his sound a magical ingredient, to the unfathomable weavers of musical spells in Italy, who were the great Castrati. Those in our story live, suffer and love in Venice.

And so to the chaotic and paranoid 21st Century and a great Opera House that still sustains something at least of the true sound and profound art form. There are those who are much afraid that opera is in its death throes because if has become simply sophisticated "noise" that ceases to have true meaning.

Then the shepherd boy's sound begins to be heard again. Seemingly unconnected and unusual events begin to happen.

The dark forces set out to destroy the unknown modern carrier who is also unknowing against an account of life back stage in an International Opera House which is based on reality. These characters live and suffer their individual problems.

As the time lines speed towards an invisible point in space, the race and the fight intensifies. Matilda becomes in danger for her very life. Only her innocence and her great love of singing and music, which has not dimmed across the centuries, protect her. At the right time and the right place, the final conflict will manifest. The outcome releases something that will change not only the Operatic and musical world, but the human race forever.

About the Author

Susanna James was born in Suffolk. She studied piano from a very young age, and began singing at fourteen. After finishing her college training, she became a professional opera singer and spent some years abroad, in Germany, Israel and U.S.A. She is in the process of writing a children's fantasy and has written poetry, some of which is in the process of being set to music by her soon who is a composer.