Barbara Strozzi

1619–1677 · Italian

Barbara Strozzi (1619–1677) was an Italian Baroque composer and singer, widely regarded as one of the most prolific composers of secular vocal music of her era. Based in Venice, she published eight volumes of vocal works — more than any other composer of the time — featuring cantatas, arias, and madrigals that showcased expressive melodic writing and deep emotional range. Though she performed primarily in private academic settings rather than on the public stage, her compositions earned lasting recognition and she is now celebrated as one of the most important female composers in Western music history.