The Baroque era is home to some of the most masterful composers and musicians of all time. From Johann Pachelbel and Jean-Baptiste Moreau to Daniel Purcell and Antonio Vivaldi, the Baroque era of music was a period overflowing with tremendous talent. While male composers received most of the glory, there were many formidable female composers who possessed considerable talent and skill. Here is a look at three amazing female composers of the Baroque era, who gave the men a run for their money in terms of of skill, passion, and execution.
Barbara Strozzi
Barbara Strozzi is among the most talented female composers of the Baroque era. Born in 1619 in Venice, Italy, Strozzi was a formidable composer of the age. She published 8 volumes of composed works, each showcasing Strozzi’s tremendous musical talent and passion for the art. Some of her best works include “Lagrime Mie,” “Sino alla morte,” and “Miei Pensieri,” among others. Centuries after her death, her work is still much beloved by instrumental music enthusiasts.
Isabella Leonarda
Isabella Leonarda was an Italian composer from Novara, Italy, who possessed great musical talent. Born on September 6, 1620, Leonarda was one of the most prolific female composers of the Baroque era. She wrote over 200 pieces over the course of her lifetime. Some of her best works include “Sonata duodecima,” “Beatus Vir,” and “Magnificat.” Few female composers can ever hope to weave compositions as masterful and passionate as Leonarda’s.
Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre
Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre was a French-born composer with supreme musical talent. Born into a musically gifted family, Elisabeth-Claude played for royalty at Versailles beginning at the young age of five. Some of her most beautiful pieces of music include “Prelude of Suite la Minor,” “Judith,” and “Trio Sonata IV in Sol Minore.”
The Baroque era was home to many exceedingly talented composers and musicians. While history books paint a picture of male composers stealing the spotlight, the truth is, there were some female composers who managed to break through the glass ceiling. The talent exuded by Strozzi, Leonarda and Jacquet de La Guerre’s work broke down barriers and spoke to the mind and the heart. True talent reigns supreme, even in an age when the male gender was deemed more superior.
More from this Contributor:
Instrumental Genius: Exploring the Masters of Classical, Baroque, and Beyond
Five of the Most Beautiful Pieces by Baroque Era Composer Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
Five of the Most Passionate Examples of Music From Romantic Era Composer Clara Wieck Schumann
