In the Middle Ages, a family with a sickly or perhaps unruly daughter - or even too many of them, in their own warped opinion - had a ready place to park said daughter, and get her out of the way. Tithe her to God, and drop her off at the nearest convent or monastery. Oh, the family of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) were kind enough to hold a mock funeral for her and even said goodbye before they allowed her to be shut up in a small cell in the Monastery of Disibodenburg. However, Hildegard had the last, long laugh, or would have had, were she so inclined. She is not only one of the most widely-recorded women composers of all time, but also excelled in other areas as well: religious mystic, writer, playright, healer, botanist, and administrator, eventually becoming the abbess of another convent, one she founded herself!
Hildegard is not the only female composer from the Middle Ages, she is merely the best known, and most recorded. During the Renaissance, she was emulated by the Italian Barbara Strozzi. Born in Venice in 1619, seven volumes of her work were published during her lifetime! Although much of it was for soprano with continuo, she also wrote sacred music and opera.
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847) was the older sister of Felix, and considered by many, including her brother, to be the better composer. They played each other's music, as well as the many duets Felix wrote. Indeed, it is thought his two-piano concertos were written for the two of them. It was not possible, however, for a woman of her breeding and talent to go against the wishes of her family, regardless of her own wishes. She was fortunate in her husband, Wilhelm Hensel, who encouraged her to continue with her love of music. Eight years after the birth of her only child, she performed as soloist in her brother's Concerto in g minor at a public concert. Fanny followed her brother in another way, as well - conducting. In fact, she suffered a fatal stroke while rehearsing an orchestra for a performance of her brother's cantata Walpurgisnacht.
