Consuelo (abridged retelling)

The novel “Consuelo” takes place in Venice, Vienna, and Prussia in the 40s–50s of the 18th century. Among the novel’s heroes are historical figures: composers N. Porpora, J. Haydn, poet-librettist P. Metastasio, and others. The model for the creation of the main character—Consuelo, a singer—was the well-known French artist Pauline Viardot. One of the main issues of the novel is connected with the image of Consuelo: the problem of an artist’s calling—one whose purpose is to unite people by the power of art.