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.

Works

Francesca wrote five operas, four of which have been lost (only La liberazione di Ruggiero has survived). Of her numerous smaller compositions, sacred, secular, vocal and instrumental, the only surviving collection is her publication of 1618, Il primo libro delle musiche, which contains pieces for one or two voices and basso continuo. They include madrigals, canzonette, settings of sonnets, strophic variations, as well as several sacred pieces which can be classified as early Baroque motets. In style they are monodies, and in some ways she exceeds her father in melodic and harmonic daring; clearly she was writing for her own voice, and for her own virtuoso singing capabilities much of the time.

Related Topics:
1618 - Basso continuo - Madrigals - Canzonette - Sonnet - Strophic - Motet - Monodies

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