16 Facts About Barbara Strozzi

Barbara Strozzi was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque Period.

Barbara Strozzi was born in Venice in 1619 to a woman known as "La Greghetta".

Barbara Strozzi was baptized in the church of Santa Sofia in the Cannaregio district of Venice.

Barbara Strozzi was a member of the Accademia degli Incogniti, one of the largest and most prestigious intellectual academies in Europe and a major political and social force in the Republic of Venice and beyond.

Barbara Strozzi wrote in many literary media, for example, poetry, operas, prose, plays and lyrics for songs.

Little is known about Barbara Strozzi's mother, but historians suspect that Isabella was a servant of Giulio, as both Barbara Strozzi and her mother lived in Giulio's household and were listed in his will.

Barbara Strozzi grew up in a household frequented by the greatest literary and musical minds of the age.

Barbara Strozzi reached the age of 12 by the first Festa della Salute in 1631.

In 1637, at the age of 18, Barbara took her father's last name, Strozzi, keeping it until her death.

Barbara Strozzi was a patron of the arts and an associate of Giulio Strozzi.

Barbara Strozzi had a son who [that is, like her father] bears the name Giulio Strozzi.

Barbara Strozzi is believed to have been buried at Eremitani.

Barbara Strozzi did not leave a will so, on her death, her son Giulio Pietro claimed her inheritance in full.

Barbara Strozzi is assumed to have composed several songs for the Duke of Mantua in 1665, a year after her last known published works.

Barbara Strozzi was renowned for her poetic ability as well as her compositional talent.

Barbara Strozzi was highly sensitive to the subliminal meaning in her texts, and, as is the case with Arcangela Tarabotti, the texts she set often hinted at underlying issues regarding gender.