Bel Canto characters

Appears from the start

A celebrated American soprano invited to sing at Katsumi Hosokawa's birthday celebration. Her voice is the principal reason he has agreed to visit the unnamed South American country, and her presence soon becomes central to the life of everyone trapped in the vice-presidential residence.

Appears from the start

A Japanese electronics executive and devoted opera listener whose birthday is being used to encourage investment in the host country. Reserved and courteous, he has attended the party for the chance to hear Roxane Coss rather than for business or politics.

Appears from the start

Hosokawa's young translator, fluent in numerous languages and attentive to social nuance. Once the party is taken hostage, nearly every negotiation and private exchange must pass through him, making his skill indispensable to captors and captives alike.

Appears from the start

The country's vice president and host of the birthday party. The event is held at his residence because the president refuses to miss his regular television program. After the attack, Rubén remains a hostage in his own home and worries about the other captives and the damage around them.

Appears from the start

One of the commanders of the guerrilla force that seizes the residence. Marked by a painful facial rash, he helps maintain discipline and speaks for the captors during their attempt to exchange the hostages for imprisoned comrades.

Appears from the start

One of the three senior guerrilla commanders. He shares responsibility for guarding the hostages and enforcing the rules of an operation that has already failed in its main aim of capturing the president.

Appears from the start

The third commander of the armed group occupying the residence. He joins Benjamín and Alfredo in directing the younger fighters and bargaining with officials outside.

Appears from the start

A Red Cross representative permitted to travel between the occupied residence and the authorities outside. Impatient with empty ceremony but committed to the hostages' welfare, he becomes the regular intermediary in a negotiation neither side can resolve.

Appears from the start

A Catholic priest attending the party. When women and other guests are released, he chooses to remain with the male hostages and offers practical help and spiritual comfort inside the residence.

First appears in chapter 2

A pianist in Hosokawa's party and an executive in his company. After Roxane's accompanist dies during the initial crisis, Kato reveals that he can play well enough to support her daily practice and performances.

First appears in chapter 2

A young guerrilla who initially passes as a boy among the armed captors. Shy and observant, she speaks only Spanish and becomes interested in the many languages Gen uses with the international hostages.

First appears in chapter 4

A young guerrilla with a naturally beautiful singing voice. His musical gift is noticed after Roxane begins filling the house with song, opening a possibility beyond the role assigned to him by the hostage-taking force.

First appears in chapter 3

A young guerrilla whose energy and curiosity contrast with the rifle he carries. As the siege settles into routine, he forms a friendly attachment to Vice President Iglesias and joins the games played in the garden.

Appears from the start

A Russian guest held with the other men after the initial releases. Large, emotional, and direct, he is deeply affected by Roxane's singing even though Gen must translate much of what he wishes to say.

Appears from the start

The French ambassador, separated from his beloved wife when the women are released. He contributes to the household routines that emerge among the hostages while enduring the uncertainty of a confinement with no clear end.