Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi created an elite group of musical virtuosos while working as a music director at the Ospedale della Pietà (Hospital of Mercy) in Venice during the early 18th century. The group was known as the figlie del coro and was comprised of orphans and individuals with disabilities who had been given to the Ospedale for care. Under Vivaldi’s direction, the group became world-class musicians. In contrast to modern practices in classical music training, members of the figlie del coro became virtuosos on multiple instruments rather than specializing. In addition, the group’s members had relatively little time to practice because they had work obligations.

Epstein is curious about how the group became so highly trained and beloved by audiences when they did not conform to the practices of hyperspecialization. He identifies several qualities that made the figlie del coro a success. Above all, the group was encouraged to explore widely across instruments and with new types of instruments. Group members also had a strong incentive to excel because it offered the orphans and individuals with disabilities professional opportunities, which were otherwise difficult for them to come by at that time.

Epstein contrasts this to the modern belief that intensive, focused training on one instrument from an early age is the only path to excellence in music.