A south west London-based author has launched a new comedic tragedy novel inspired by 19th century Baroque opera.
Jon Elkon held the launch event for Ragazzo on Friday 1 November in Hammersmith.
It is an eccentric, comedic tragedy about two millionaires in the 19th century hoping to revive Baroque opera by training a castrati to perform for them.
Castrati singers were boys who were castrated at a young age to maintain a higher register for singing, and were a big part of opera in the 18th century but largely forgotten about today.
Elkon said: “It was a horrible thing which very few people know about and it went on for about 300 years.”
However, the young boy the millionaires buy turns out to be a serial killer driven by thoughts of revenge.
Elkon said: “The book is really about the exploitation of people with talent by people who are very rich, the exploitation of a great artist and what it does to them.”
It was first published on 26 September by Alien Rabbit, an independent publisher based in the UK that also publishes art, comics, and poetry alongside fiction and non-fiction books.
This is Elkon’s fifth book and his other works include satires on Apartheid South Africa. Umfaan’s Heroes and Lazlo’s Millions published by Andre Deutsch, and a poetry collection Some Day Soon.
Elkon said: “Ragazzo is just completely different to anything I’ve ever written, just way out there.”
He hopes that this book might be successful with a different, younger audience too, and said: “More and more millennials are becoming interested in opera.
“It’s an absolute phenomenon, it’s fascinating, so maybe the book might take off with that generation as well.”
The book was inspired by one particular opera, Rodelina by George Frideric Handel, but also by a general fascination with Baroque opera.
Elkon said: “I suddenly became obsessed with Baroque music.
“It’s the most bizarre world, it’s so artificial, and hilarious even when it’s not meaning to be.
“It’s a wonderful world and the music is superb, it’s too crazy not to talk about.”
Outside of writing, Elkon is also a black belt in karate with almost 50 years of experience and has his own karate club in Chiswick.
He volunteers once a week at a charity shop in Isleworth and is a coordinator for the Green Party.
Ragazzo is available to purchase online here.
Pictures by James Linton.
