Isabella Leonarda was born on 6 September 1620 in Novara, Italy. She came from a prominent family and entered the Collegio di Sant’Orsola, an Ursuline convent, at the young age of 16. There, she spent her life, becoming a respected composer known for her extensive body of work. Leonarda created approximately 200 musical pieces, ranging from motets and masses to sonatas and sacred concertos. Her first published compositions appeared around 1640, and she continued writing well into her later years.

While Leonarda was not famous outside Novara, she was celebrated locally and referred to as “la Musa novarese.” She held important roles in the convent, including magistra musicae, suggesting she taught music to the other nuns. Her music is significant not just for its quantity but also for its innovative style. Leonarda’s compositions include features of both vocal and instrumental music, often combining multiple instruments in a unique structure. Many of her works were dedicated to the Virgin Mary and influential figures, highlighting her devotion and the support she sought for her convent. Leonarda’s contributions mark her as a key figure in the history of music, particularly for women in the Baroque era.