Barbara Strozzi

1619 - 1677

Enlightened times, the Renaissance may have been, but not quite enlightened enough for women to take a central role in the arts.

The emergence of Barbara Strozzi as one of the leading composers and singers of her age is all the more remarkable. Bear in mind that at the time many female vocal roles were taken by male castrati.

Being the daughter of the Venetian poet Giulio Strozzi, himself a minor member of one of Venice’s most powerful families, certainly would have helped.

Her music was seen as exceptional in her own time. Secular music (which was in itself unusual) in which words and text were delicately juxtaposed, she published eight volumes of songs.

She may have been the concubine of Giovanni Paolo Vidman.