The Fifth String

Angelo Diotti is The Best Violin Player ever, so how can he possibly fall in love with this silly but beautiful creature who says that she never feels anything when she listens to music or looks at a work of art. She sees other people responding in raptures, but she herself is unmoved, thinking instead of brush-strokes or how the piano works.

He cannot believe that he cannot touch her emotions with his music. What will he do? Study harder? Practice longer? Ah, he is just a man. She deserves a god. He flings down his violin in disgust, saying that if the powers of heaven will not help, maybe he should ask those of darkness.