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Encyclopedia: Barbara Strozzi, Talk:Barbara Strozzi

Barbara Strozzi (also called Barbara Valle) (Baptised August 6, 1619, Venice - November 11, 1677, Padua) was an Italian Baroque singer and composer. She was the adopted, and most likely illegitimate, daughter of Giulio Strozzi. Giulio incorporated her into his series of discussion groups, or academies, particularly the "Accademia degli Unisoni", wherein she was both called upon to sing, and to contribute to the discourse. She studied with composer Francesco Cavalli. After her father's death it is likely that Strozzi was forced to support herself by means of her compositions. This is thought likely because of her many important patrons, including Ferdinand II of Austria and Sophia, Duchess of Brunswick and Lüneburg, to whom she dedicated her works.

The vast majority of her works are for Soprano voice and continuo, suggesting that they were written for Strozzi herself to sing. Her compositions are firmly rooted in the seconda prattica tradition, exemplified in the works of Claudio Monteverdi, but her works have a more lyrical emphasis, based in the strengths of the voice itself. Many of the texts for her pieces were written by her father Giulio.

Reference

Ellen Rosand with Beth L. Glixon. "Barbara Strozzi", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed ), http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com (subscription access).

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