Bel Canto, the Book

The story begins, oddly enough, at a birthday party in a South American Country for Katsumi Hosakawa, founder and chairman of a major electronics company in Japan. He was presumably in the country to explore the possibility of setting up a factory there. The party is being held at the house of the Vice President of the country.

In reality, Hosakawa does not intend to build a factory there, and would not normally want to celebrate his 53rd birthday in another continent, except for the fact that he was promised the presence and performance of the lyric sorprano, Roxanne Coss. Hosakawa had been a huge fan of hers for years and, although he had heard her perform many times, this would be a chance to meet her.

The birthday celebration is underway, Roxanne Coss has finished singing and everyone is mesmerized. Then the lights go out. What happens next I do not want to give away. Let me just say that the story is unusual, emotional, and will pull you in.

Time stops and people communicate on a level not often seen in everyday life. Even people who knew each other before learn surprising new things. Terror and beauty walk hand in hand. It says a lot about our human instincts for good and evil.

Music plays a huge role in this story. The power of music to make one not want to be anywhere else and to unite everyone who hears it.