Women in Baroque and Classical Music

Despite societal constraints, women made significant contributions:

Composers and Performers

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729): - Child prodigy who performed for Louis XIV - First woman to compose a tragédie lyrique: "Céphale et Procris" (1694) - Published trio sonatas and cantatas - Pioneered the French cantata

Julie Candeille (1767-1834): - Composer, singer, actress, and playwright - Her opera "Catherine, ou La belle fermière" (1792) succeeded during the Revolution - Challenged gender norms by controlling all aspects of her productions

Salonnières and Patronesses

Women's salons shaped musical taste: - Madame de Pompadour: Louis XV's mistress, patronized Rameau - Marie Antoinette: Played harp and supported Gluck - Julie de Lespinasse: Her salon welcomed musical intellectuals