© 2024 WXXI Public Broadcasting, 280 State St. Rochester, NY 14614, (585) 325-7500
Celebrating 50 years on FM 91.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
If you look at the listings of the major orchestras in America you will see two things in common; very few of them are programming major pieces by women composers, and almost none have a woman on the podium. Despite the abundance of wonderful compositions by women, the world of classical music has been, for centuries, a man’s world.

Barbara Stozzi, 17th century composer of vocal music

Wikipedia

Barbara Strozzi was the most prolific composer of vocal music in 17th century Venice. She wrote mainly secular songs for soprano, but she did compose one volume of sacred music. She was said to be a courtesan, but this was likely jealous rumors from her male contemporaries.  Listen to Lagrime mie - Emanuela Galli.

This post is part WXXI Classical 91.5’s celebration of Women’s History Month. For more of these stories and other resources, check out Celebrating the Contributions of Women to Classical Music.