Francesca Caccini

Francesca Caccini (September 18, 1587 – probably 1640) was an Italian composer, singer, lutenist, and music teacher of the early Baroque era. She was the daughter of Giulio Caccini, and was probably the most famous and influential female European composer, in any genre, between Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century and the 19th century. Her opera, La liberazione di Ruggiero, was the first Italian opera to be performed outside of Italy.

Life

Caccini was born in Florence, most likely receiving her early musical training with her father. Her first recorded appearance in public is as a singer at the wedding of Henry IV of France and Maria de' Medici in 1600; her father took part in organizing and composing the music for the sumptuous entertainment involved. In 1604 when the entire Caccini family visited France, Henry praised her singing effusively—"you are the best singer in all of France"—and asked her to stay at his court; however the Florentine officials denied his request, and she returned to Italy, where her fame continued to grow. Shortly afterwards she attracted the attention of Claudio Monteverdi as well, who praised her singing and instrumental performance. In 1607 she married a member of the Florentine Camerata, Giovanni Battista Signorini.

Related Topics:
Florence - Henry IV of France - Maria de' Medici - 1600 - 1604 - France - Claudio Monteverdi - 1607 - Florentine Camerata - Giovanni Battista Signorini

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During this time she was also developing her skill as a composer. In conjunction with the librettist Michelangelo Buonaroti the Younger (grand-nephew of the artist) she wrote the music for many intermedi at the Medici court, and she also began writing in the then-new form of opera.

Related Topics:
Librettist - Intermedi - Medici - Opera

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One of her greatest successes came in 1625 when she wrote an opera for a visiting prince from Poland, Ladislaus Sigismondo (later Władysław IV). This opera, La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina, was also performed in Warsaw in 1628; this is the earliest verified performance of an Italian opera outside of Italy.

Related Topics:
1625 - Poland - Władysław IV - Warsaw - 1628

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Records of her later life are sparse. Florentine records show that a Francesca Caccini, wife of a senator, died in 1640, which would imply that she remarried if this was her; alternatively that may have been someone else, and she may have died earlier. A death date of 1630 is given in some sources.

Related Topics:
1640 - 1630

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