Isabella Leonarda (1620-1704) was born in Italy to a prominent family. She entered a convent at the age of 16, which was common for upper-class daughters at the time, and gained local fame for her compositions. She was a rather prolific composer, which is significant...
Augusta Holmès (1847-1903) was born in Paris to Irish ancestry. Though she was prevented from studying at the Paris Conservatory, she did take lessons privately and studied with César Franck. She first published her compositions under the pseudonym Hermann Zenta, but...
Born in Virginia in 1882 and raised in Washington, D.C., Mary Howe (nee Carlisle) was an accomplished pianist and composer of large and small forms. She studied at the Peabody Conservatory as well as abroad with Nadia Boulanger. Known primarily for her piano works,...
Though her name has fallen into obscurity among contemporary audiences, Louise Farrenc (nee Dumont) (1804-1875) was a well-known and highly respected composer, pianist, and educator throughout her lifetime. A pupil of Muzio Clementi and Anton Reicha, Farrenc had the...
The BSO, led by Marin Alsop, just announced their 2011-2012 concert season which will be celebrating the music and achievements of women. Season highlights include Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher (which will be semi-staged), James Lee III’s piece about...
Baroque composer Barbara Strozzi (1619-1977) was born in Venice, the illegitimate child of a servant. She was adopted into the Strozzi family and received enthusiastic support from her adoptive family in her musical pursuits. Strozzi not only composed prolifically...
