novel introduces the reader to Adorno Salentini and provides insight into his upbringing. Raised in the household of a wealthy marquise, who appreciates art without understanding its depths, Adorno grapples with feelings of longing for maternal affection while simultaneously recognizing his unique position as a child born of love, albeit illegitimate. His narrative begins as he recounts his early life experiences, contrasting his ambitions with the superficiality around him. The initial chapters set the stage for Adorno's journey, revealing his passion for painting and the complex dynamics of his relationships, particularly with his mother and a budding enchantment with the operatic world, embodied by the characters he encounters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)