International Women's Day: Composer Profile - Barbara Strozzi

International Women's Day, celebrating female composers: Barbara Strozzi

Lucie Skeaping is joined by Laurie Stras to profile the life and music of the prolific 17th Century Venetian composer and singer Barbara Strozzi. @bbcradio3 #womensday

Born in 1617, the daughter of a servant girl Barbara was brought up and educated by the poet Giulio Strozzi, who was probably her father. She first tasted fame at her father's 'Academies' in Venice for her 'bold and graceful manner' before going on to publish eight volumes of music, mostly for solo voice. But, despite her remarkable achievements as a singer and composer, she appears to have died in poverty around 1677.