The Caccini Sisters

Giulio Caccini was one of the most successful composers and highly renowned singers of his age. But lesser known are his two daughters, Francesca and Settimia Caccini. Both women were highly accomplished singers in their own right, and composers as well, and they both rose to become the highest paid members of their respective courts. Francesca also holds another claim to fame, as the first ever female composer of an opera, and she has been lauded as the most important female composer between the 11th Century Hildegard of Bingen and the 19th Century. Lucie Skeaping investigates the lives of these two extraordinary women.

** Podcast version of this programme available from Monday 15th August ** (follow the link to 'Podcast' from the Early Music Show home page)