Love Sings Like The Nightingale
A play in three acts written by Mark Woollacott.
Set in the shadow of Mount Etna in the year 1693, when the Kingdom of Sicily lay under the dominion of the Spanish Empire, Love Sings Like the Nightingale is a poignant and lyrical exploration of trust, longing and the perilous beauty of vulnerability.
Synopsis
In the rural town of Paternò, where baronial power governs lives and tradition holds fast, Roberto Calamia — a humble thirty-year-old carpenter and unpublished poet — harbours a quiet, steadfast love for Isabella Attino, a gifted opera singer of wealth, wit and wary heart. Still nursing old wounds from a love gone wrong, Isabella fears the risk of opening herself again. Though her heart stirs for Roberto, she masks her affection behind a veil of cool restraint, issuing him a dangerous trial: to prove his devotion by ascending the treacherous, fume-wreathed summit of Mount Etna itself.
As Roberto embarks on his odyssey into fire and ash, Isabella remains behind, wrestling with the weight of her fears, the counsel of her well-meaning sisters and the haunting echo of her past regrets. Will the flame of new love survive the mountain's fury — or be extinguished by it?
The Structure of the Play
Told across six tightly woven scenes in three acts, this powerful short play combines poetic dialogue with elemental drama, echoing the operatic heart of its heroine. With its richly drawn characters and evocative Sicilian setting, Love Sings Like the Nightingale invites readers and theatre lovers alike into a world where love is both a song and a test, and where the greatest journey may be the one toward emotional trust.
This edition includes a writer's note, full cast and set list.
How The Book Came to Be
This short play was originally written over a period of six days from 17th to 22nd October 2007 and was re-written (with only a few minor alterations made) from 4th to 9th February 2012. In essence, Love Sings Like The Nightingale is a tragic love story: it is a traditional drama about self-worth, trust and resignation. Additionally, it is a story about regret, and during the course of the play this arises as a consequence of Isabella not having the resolve to fully trust in love.
Roberto's main dramatic need in the play is to prove his worthiness to Isabella, in order to obtain her acceptance of him as a lover and potential husband. Isabella's need however, is one of emotional self-preservation. She is reluctant to take the bold step of openly acknowledging her feelings to Roberto and shields herself from the love that she knows is pouring from Roberto's heart. She is wary of love and believes the experience will always lead to an unhappy outcome.
The message in this story is clearly the need to trust in one's thoughts and feelings — especially when a genuine attraction occurs between two people — as such feelings have the potential to be life-changing and can lead to the cultivation of harmony, happiness and romantic contentment. To resist, deny or suppress such emotions and thoughts only serves to hinder or prevent the creation of a loving relationship and any potential happiness.
This book is only available in English. It is not yet available in other languages. All publishing, translation, recording, broadcasting, and all other rights, including copyright, belong to the author.
Paperback Edition Details
Number of pages: 30
Dimensions: 5.06 inches x 7.81 inches x 0.7 inches
Date of publication: 15th March 2012
Country of publication: United States
Imprint of record: CreateSpace
Published by: Mark Woollacott Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1470145057
ISBN-10: 1470145057
E-book Edition Details
Date of publication: 15th March 2012
Country of publication: United States
Published by: Mark Woollacott Publishing
ASIN: B007N3FCA0
Book Information
Category: Short play
Genre: Love story, romantic tragedy
Number of acts: 3
Number of scenes: 6
Word-count: 3,622
Date written: 17th to 22nd October 2007 and 4th to 9th February 2012
Recommended readership age: 12 and older
Format availability: Paperback edition and eBook edition for Kindle.
Thank You
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my website and read about Love Sings Like the Nightingale and my other books. It truly means the world to me that you've spared a moment of your day to step into the writings I've poured my heart into. Knowing that someone is curious about my work fills me with both gratitude and hope. I deeply appreciate your interest, and I sincerely wish that one day soon you'll find joy, comfort, or even a little spark of wonder within the pages of my books. Your support and attention mean more than words can ever fully express.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Love Sings Like the Nightingale about?
Love Sings Like the Nightingale is a romantic theatrical play set in 1693 Sicily, in the shadow of Mount Etna during Spanish rule. The story follows Roberto Calamia, a humble carpenter and poet, and Isabella Attino, a gifted opera singer, as they navigate trust, vulnerability and emotional awakening. Through poetic dialogue and elemental drama, the play explores romantic longing, inner transformation and the courage required to embrace genuine love.
Is Love Sings Like the Nightingale a novel or a play?
Love Sings Like the Nightingale is a short romantic play told across three acts and six tightly woven scenes. It combines lyrical, poetic dialogue with dramatic tension, making it suitable for both readers and theatrical performance.
Where is Love Sings Like the Nightingale set?
The play is set in the rural Sicilian town of Paternò in 1693, beneath Mount Etna, during the time when the Kingdom of Sicily was under the dominion of the Spanish Empire. The volcanic setting symbolises the emotional risks and passions at the heart of the story.
What themes does the play explore?
The play explores romantic relationships, emotional vulnerability, trust, personal awakening and inner transformation. Its central message emphasizes the importance of trusting one's genuine feelings when love arises, rather than suppressing emotions that could lead to harmony, happiness and lasting romantic fulfilment.
Who would enjoy reading Love Sings Like the Nightingale?
Readers who enjoy romantic plays, historical love stories, Sicilian settings, poetic dialogue and emotionally driven theatre will appreciate Love Sings Like the Nightingale. It appeals to fans of contemporary UK literature, British authors, and character-focused romantic drama.
When was Love Sings Like the Nightingale written and published?
The play was originally written between 17th and 22nd October 2007, revised between 4th and 9th February 2012, and officially published on 15th March 2012.
What makes Love Sings Like the Nightingale unique?
The play uniquely blends operatic emotion, poetic theatrical dialogue and the dramatic symbolism of Mount Etna. Isabella's challenge to Roberto — to prove his devotion by ascending the volcano — serves as both a literal and emotional trial, symbolising the risks inherent in love and vulnerability.
Intellectual Property
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