When Fergal Flynn's remarkable singing talent is discovered by world-famous opera star Alfredo Moretti, the young man leaves his native Belfast and sets out for Rome, to train in opera. This new, sophisticated world is a far cry from working-class Belfast. But Fergal soon finds out that escaping from a troubled past is not just a matter of geography. If he is to unearth his true voice in this country of famous tenors, he must first get to grips with who he is, and where he comes from. Moving back in time to the glamour of 1950s Venice, Roman Song also tells the story of three leading lights of Tosca - Alfredo, Marla Davis and Brendan Fischetti - and of Amelia, the beautiful widowed countess, whose entrance stage-left creates a bitter rift between the three companions. When, three decades on, Brendan stars at the Teatro where Fergal works backstage, Alfredo finds he's not the only one running from his past . Roman Song is an enchanting and funny tale of coming to terms with your true self, and of how facing the past can open the door to the fulfilment of dreams. Brian Kennedy is one of Ireland's best-loved singer-songwriters.

His first novel The Arrival Of Fergal Flynn received a warm reception and charted on the best-seller list when it was published in 2004. Roman Song is his second novel. Brian now lives in Dublin.