A fake announcement in the local newspaper regarding an engagement between a young man and woman from Salterton's high society revolutionizes life in the city. The alleged bride's father, Professor Vambrace, is not willing to forgive an offense he considers insulting, and his planned lawsuit against the paper could have unpredictable consequences. Meanwhile, a storm is brewing in the editorial department at the "Evening Bellman," in which its affable director, the owner's intriguing daughter-in-law, and a veteran editor find themselves immersed. The rest of the city buzzes with rumors as the residents ponder what role the crazy organ player and the new choir teacher have in the scandal.""This second installation in the Salterton Trilogy and the sequel to "Tempest-Tost" portrays peaceful provincial life in a Canadian city with masterful irony. "Un anuncio falso en un periodico local de un compromiso matrimonial entre dos jovenes de la alta sociedad de Salterton revoluciona la vida en la ciudad. El padre de la supuesta novia, el profesor Vambrace, no esta dispuesto a olvidar una ofensa que el considera injuriosa y su anunciada demanda podria tener consecuencias impredecibles. Mientras tanto, en la redaccion del "Evening Bellman" se desata una tormenta en la que se ven inmersos su afable director, la intrigante nuera del dueno del periodico y uno de los redactores mas veteranos. El resto de la ciudad se convierte en un hervidero de rumores mientras los residentes se preguntan que tienen que ver en el escandalo el alocado organista de la catedral y un advenedizo profesor de canto." "Esta segunda instalacion en la Trilogia de Salterton y la continuacion de la novela "A merced de la tempestad" retrata con magistral ironia la tranquila vida provinciana de una ciudad canadiense."

The foundation funded by Francis Cornish's inheritance has decided to pursue one of its first projects: the staging of E.T.A. Hoffman's unfinished opera, "The Court of Arthur. "The person in charge of carrying out the task is Hulda Schnakenburg, a brilliant and peculiar graduate student, who will be assisted by Simon Darcourt in writing the libretto. Unfortunately, complications arise in such a way that those involved in the project seem to be acting out the plot of the opera themselves, thus proving Hoffman's utterance that "the lyre of Orpheus opens the door of the underworld." Davies's extraordinary knowledge of theater is clear as he showcases the behind-the-scenes drama of theatrical and musical productions, while also reflecting upon how oftentimes our basest instincts impose themselves and force us to act in unexpected ways. Although it can be read independently, this novel is the third installment of The Cornish Trilogy. "La fundacion constituida con el legado del mecenas Francis Cornish ha decidido acometer uno de sus primeros proyectos: la representacion de "Arturo de Britania," una opera inconclusa de E.T.A. Hoffmann. La encargada de realizar la tarea sera Hulda Schnakenburg, una brillante y peculiar estudiante de doctorado, que contara con la ayuda de Simon Darcourt en la redaccion del libreto. Desgraciadamente los trabajos se complican de tal manera que los involucrados en el proyecto parecen estar representando el argumento de la opera y hacen buena la cita de Hoffmann que dice La lira de Orfeo abre las puertas del otro mundo. En esta novela Davies muestra su extraordinario conocimiento de las artes escenicas plasmando los enredos de las producciones teatrales y musicales, a la vez que reflexiona sobre como a menudo nuestros mas bajos instintos se imponen y nos conducen a actuar insospechadamente. "Aunque puede ser leida independientemente, esta novela es el tercer libro de la Trilogia de Cornish.""""

Robertson Davies engages us in the fascinating history of Francis Cornish, a wealthy and mysterious Canadian collector and patron of the arts who has just died. Beginning with the chance circumstances that lead to his parents' marriage, and including his unorthodox artistic formation and his sexual initiation, the novel narrates the various stages of his life and recounts the development of his character. This is how we discover the source of his fortune as well as his past as a painting restorer and falsifier, talents which led him to become a part of British espionage during World War II and to participate in a plot to sell falsified artwork to Nazis. With this novel, Davies weaves an ingenious tale about the reasons, passions, and intrigue that drive the art world. Although it can be read independently, this novel is the second installment of The Cornish Trilogy. "Robertson Davies nos sumerge en la fascinante historia de Francis Cornish, un acaudalado y misterioso mecenas y coleccionista de arte canadiense que acaba de morir. Comenzando con las azarosas circunstancias que propician el matrimonio de sus padres, y pasando por su heterodoxa formacion artistica y su iniciacion amorosa, la novela va recorriendo las distintas etapas de su vida y dando cuenta del desarrollo de su caracter. Es asi como se descubre el origen de su fabulosa fortuna y se desvela su pasado como restaurador de pintura y falsificador, habilidades que durante la segunda guerra mundial le llevarian a formar parte del espionaje britanico y a participar en una trama de venta de obras de arte falsas a los nazis. Davies crea en esta novela un ingenioso relato sobre las razones, pasiones e intrigas que mueven el mundo del arte. Aunque puede ser leida independientemente, esta novela es el segundo libro de la Trilogia de Cornish."