Maddalena Casulana

Full biography Maddalena Casulana

Maddalena Casulana was an Italian composer who lived during the late Renaissance period. She is best known for being the first female composer to have her music published and possibly the first professional female composer in Western music history. She was born in Casole d'Elsa around 1544 and died probably after 1590 in Florence.

Casulana was born into a noble family and received an education in music and literature. At the age of 32, she published her first book of madrigals, which was dedicated to Isabella de' Medici, a noblewoman who sponsored her music career. Over the course of her life, she published three collections of madrigals, each containing between 19 and 23 compositions.

Her music is characterized by rich harmonies and expressive melodies, which make it notable for its beauty and depth. The lyrics were written by well-known poets of her time, such as Tasso, Petrarch, and Guarini, among others.

Despite her success and recognition during her lifetime, Maddalena's music was largely forgotten after her death. It was only in the late 20th century that her music was rediscovered and published once again, gaining the attention and admiration of many scholars and musicians.

Overall, Maddalena Casulana was a trailblazer who broke through gender barriers in the music industry. Her contributions to music history have helped to pave the way for future generations of female composers and performers.