The Absolutely Essential Work of The Women’s Philharmonic: Holding On To Women’s Music History By A Thin, Fraying Thread

by Liane Curtis | Nov 20, 2023

We originally published this post on Feb 26, 2021  and are now reposting, since it is so important to our work!  Guest author Mary Purpura completed an MA Thesis about The Women’s Philharmonic in 2016.  Her research provided an important history of our founding...

Chicago Sinfonietta performs Regina Harris Baiocchi’s Muse for Orchestra

by Liane Curtis | Oct 7, 2023

Tonight, October 7, the Chicago Sinfonietta performs Regina Harris Baiocchi’s “Muse for Orchestra,” led by Music Director Mei Ann Chen.  Their Oct. 5 performance of the work, described as “a powerful tribute to the muses who inspire and guide us,” was its...

Morfydd Owen’s Life and Work

by sarah | Oct 4, 2023

This week we are celebrating the life and music of Welsh composer Morfydd Owen, who was born October 1, 1891. A brilliant pianist, singer, and composer, Owen’s tremendous oeuvre of work has been underperformed since her tragic death in 1918, when she was only 26 years...

All Hail The Tenth Muse! Part 1

by Liane Curtis | Aug 29, 2023

By Dr. April Lynn James Affectionately known as The PhDiva!!!, Dr. April is a classically trained soprano with a PhD from Harvard best known for her groundbreaking work returning operas composed by women to the world’s stages. She survived her Harvard doctoral...

Tania León’s Stride: A Review

by sarah | Jul 26, 2023

When considering that the canon of western art music is based in a system of white supremacy and patriarchy, it is a sad truth that most of the music that is presented in classrooms and concert halls is written by dead, white, men.  Scholars continue to spend great...

On The Passing of Kaija Saariaho

by sarah | Jun 2, 2023

We are saddened to hear about the death of Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, who passed away at home in Paris overnight.  In October 2022 there were celebrations around the world for her 70th birthday.  Immediately prior to her passing, Saariaho completed a concerto...