Anna Bon

Full biography Anna Bon

Anna Bon was an Italian composer who was born in Venice in 1738. She was surrounded by music since her early childhood as her father, Giuseppe Bon, was a well-known musician and composer. Anna received formal music education from her father, who taught her how to play the harpsichord and the violin. It is believed that she started composing music when she was still a teenager.

In 1761, Anna married the French dancer and choreographer Jean-Baptiste Deshayes, with whom she traveled extensively around Europe. During their travels, Anna continued to compose music, and some of her works were performed in public concerts. In 1773, the couple settled in Paris, where Anna became a member of the Loge Olympique, a Masonic society that organized public concerts and promoted new musical talents.

Anna Bon was famous for her chamber music compositions, including string quartets, trios, and solo pieces for the violin and the harpsichord. Her music style is reminiscent of the Mannheim School, a German school of composition that laid the foundation for the Classical era of music. Anna's compositions were known for their grace, elegance, and technical proficiency, and she was praised by her contemporaries for her ability to create music that was both emotionally charged and technically challenging.

Despite her talent and success, Anna Bon's music career was overshadowed by the fact that she was a woman. In the 18th century, women were not allowed to perform in public, and their compositions were often dismissed as being inferior to those created by male composers. Nevertheless, Anna continued to compose music, and some of her works were published posthumously, long after her death in 1775. Today, Anna Bon is recognized as one of the most important female composers of the 18th century, and her music remains an important part of the history of classical music.