Revolutionizing the Musical Stage of Northern Italy
Although not as popular as Bach, Claudio Monteverdi, Schutz, Charpentier or Pachelbel. Barbara Strozzi was a representative name for Baroque music. Daughter of poet Giulio Strozzi's servant, born in 1617, she lived an intriguing life, later becoming the most respected and appreciated female composer of the 17th century.
She was adopted by her mother's master, a rather famous Venetian intellectual, who saw to her musical education. Her first notable teacher was Francesco Cavalli, already reputable singer and composer. The news of her talent soon spread, and Nicolò Fontei dedicated her no less than two solo songs books, the first one ...
