"A Roman Singer" by F. Marion Crawford tells the story of a talented young tenor raised by a professor, exploring themes of love, ambition, and the social barriers that shape personal relationships. The novel begins with the professor reflecting on the boyÍs childhood, noting his transformation from a neglected child into a promising young artist. As the boy matures, his passion for music intensifies, despite the professor's desire for him to pursue a scholarly life. Under the mentorship of a renowned music teacher, the young tenorÍs abilities flourish. As his talent grows, he falls in love with a noblewoman, and the narrative explores the emotional and social struggles that arise from their differing social statuses. The novel intricately examines how love and ambition collide with societal expectations, creating a tension between the boyÍs aspirations and the realities of his circumstances. His journey unfolds amidst these challenges, as the artist navigates the complexities of love, art, and class in a rapidly changing world.
Francis Marion Crawford was an American author who lived from August 2, 1854, to April 9, 1909. He was famous for his many books, especially those set in Italy, and his classic weird and fantastical stories. He was born on August 2, 1854, in Bagni di Lucca, which is in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. He was the only child of American artist Thomas Crawford and his wife, Louisa Cutler Ward. His sister was the author Mary Crawford Fraser, also known as Mrs. Hugh Fraser, and his nephew was the American artist Julia Ward Howe. After his dad died in 1857, his mom got married again to Luther Terry. They had a daughter together, Margaret Ward Terry, who later married Winthrop Astor Chanler and was Crawford's half-sister. He went to school at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and finally the University of Rome. He went to India in 1879 to study Sanskrit and was the editor of The Indian Herald in Allahabad. When he got back to the United States in February 1881, he continued to study Sanskrit at Harvard University for another year.
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