Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was a significant anomaly in an art form that, until the 20th century, did not exactly nurture women. She was a singer, but also a composer. More astonishingly, she appears to have been recognized for it.
Today’s Noontime Concert on The Classical Network will be devoted almost exclusively to Strozzi’s music. Brooklyn Baroque will present “Barbara Strozzi and Her World.” The program will also include a sonata by virtuoso cellist Domenico Gabrielli.
Strozzi was the adopted (and possibly biological) daughter of Giulio Strozzi. Giulio was one of the driving forces behind the propulsive growth of opera in Venice in the first half of the 17th century. He was a poet and librettist, a regular collaborator of Claudio Monteverdi and others. He was also unusually supportive of his daughter’s talent, arranging for her studies with Francesco Cavalli (of “La Callisto” fame) and even founding an academy for its display, in order to help legitimize it in the eyes of the public.
Barbara’s music was published and it’s thought that later in life she was able to support herself by means of her investments and compositions. Did she bolster her income as a courtesan, or was this a fabrication of her jealous (male) rivals? Many important details of her life have had to be fleshed out by hearsay and conjecture. After all, she lived 400 years ago, and society hasn’t been particularly attentive to its female artists.
Today’s broadcast comes our way courtesy of Gotham Early Music Scene (GEMS). The program was presented on October 26, 2017 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 50th Street and Park Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan, where free concerts are held every Thursday at 1:15 p.m. The 2017-2018 season will conclude on June 28. This Thursday, Empire Viols will present “Strictly Organic: Transcriptions of Organ Trios by J.S. Bach and J.L. Krebs.” For a complete schedule of lunchtime performances, look online at midtownconcerts.org.
GEMS also hosts evening concerts. The ensemble Voyces will present “Angels Cry Aloud: Masters of the Roman Collegio Germanico,” featuring music by Victoria, Carissimi, and Charpentier, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 St. Paul’s Avenue, Staten Island, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Artek will present “Madrigal Madness,” highlighting the work of Monteverdi, at 17 Frost Gallery, 17 Frost Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Friday at 7:30 p.m. Angelica Women’s Chamber Choir will present “Sanctuary,” a program that seeks refuge from life’s turbulence, with repertoire ranging from the Middle Ages to the present, at the Church of St. John of Nepomucene, 411 East 66th St., New York City, Sunday at 3 p.m.
Gotham Early Music Scene is a non-profit corporation that supports and promotes artists and organizations in New York City devoted to early music – music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical periods. For more information and GEMS’ events calendar, look online at gemsny.org.
Following today’s Noontime Concert, I’ll return to some of the unplayed “favorites” left over from last week’s “Play It Again” membership campaign. These will be drawn from lists submitted by WWFM hosts, partners, and listeners. We’ll hear more of this music, in its entirety, until 4 p.m. EDT. David Diamond’s Symphony No. 2 will be a particular highlight.
If you haven’t gotten around to making your contribution to WWFM – The Classical Network, remember, you may do so at any time at wwfm.org. As always, thank you for your support!
