The Venetian singer and composer Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677)
was probably the most remarkable, talented, famous and successful woman
of her times in the field of music. In 2019 we will celebrate its 400th
anniversary with a new program performed by soprano Emöke Baráth under
the direction of Francesco Corti.
The album, Voglio Cantar, present some of her most beautiful compositions for soprano, some
works by her teacher Francesco Cavalli, and a delightful variety of
contemporary instrumental pieces.
Barbara Strozzi grew up in a household frequented by illustrious
intellectuals. In the year 1637 her father founded an academy
exclusively focused on music, the ‚accademia degli unisoni’ – which was
not only hosted and presided over by Barbara, but also became her stage
to perform her own music. She received her musical education from
Francesco Cavalli, who then worked in various important musical
positions in Venice and was about to launch his career as an opera
composer.
Barbara Strozzi published a significant number of music: 8 volumes of
madrigals, arias, ariettas, canzoni – including one volume of sacred
music. Most of the compositions are focused on the soprano voice,
displaying its pure beauty in lyrical melodies. The only painted
(supposed) portrait of Barbara Strozzi shows her as a musician in quite a
lascivious pose, presenting the then typical association of female
musician and courtesan. Barbara Strozzi died in Padova in the year 1677
under unknown circumstances.
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