University News
University Libraries Celebrate Women's History with Women Composer-Performer Exhibit
March 11, 2010
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University Libraries' music library branch in Sallee Hall 108 is celebrating Women's History Month with a display about women composer-performers of the Baroque and Early Classical Eras (1640–1824). The display features Anna Amalia, Princess of Prussia; Anna Amalia, Duchess of Saxe-Weimer; and Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre.
According to Roderick Sharpe, music librarian at WIU, Anna Amalia, princess of Prussia, youngest sister of Frederick the Great, began composing in her mid-30s. She hired J.P. Kirnberger, a pupil of J.S. Bach, as her teacher. Her contribution to music history is her library collection, which is currently held in the Königliche Bibliothek in Berlin.
"Anna Amalia, Duchess of Saxe-Weimer cultivated artistic interest by surrounding herself with professional and amateur musicians, poets and scholars. Wilhelm Bode called it, 'Court of Muses,'" Sharpe explained. "And Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre was a French harpsichordist and composer. She gave lessons and concerts in Paris, and she was the first female opera composer in France."
Sharpe noted that other featured composers included in the display are: Antonia Bembo (1640–1720), Venetian composer and singer, who enjoyed the patronage of Louis XIV of France; Maria von Martinez (1744–1812), composer and harpsichordist, who, as a patroness of the arts, encouraged Haydn and Mozart; Maddalena Laura Sirmen (1745–1818), composer and violinist who toured extensively in Europe -- her compositions were played extensively during her lifetime; and Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759–1824) blind composer, pianist, organist and singer, much admired by Mozart who dedicated one of his piano concertos to her.
The exhibit includes a slideshow with audio of excerpts from the composers' works and is open free to the public.
For more information, contact Tammy Sayles, marketing and outreach librarian, at (309) 298-3298 or TJ-Sayles@wiu.edu.
Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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