May 18th
Maddalena Laura Sirmen (née Lombardini) 9 December 1745 – 18 May 1818
6 String Quartets
By Adélaïde Labille-Guiard / Formerly attributed to Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun – https://www.thestrad.com/playing-hub/the-lyre-of-orpheus-the-life-and-works-of-maddalena-laura-lombardini-sirmen/13327.article, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143011031
Maddalena Laura Sirmen was a remarkable musician and composer from Italy, born in 1745. She was known for her incredible talent as a violinist and composer during the 18th century. Growing up in a musical family, she began playing the violin at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her skills. Sirmen was one of the few women in her time to achieve such prominence in music, an inspiring example for many young girls.
Sirmen studied under famous composers and performed widely across Europe, including in France and England. She was not only a performer but also a talented composer, creating many pieces for the violin and other instruments. Her works included concertos, sonatas, and chamber music, showcasing her creativity and understanding of music.
Despite the challenges faced by women in the arts during her lifetime, Sirmen continued to pursue her passion. She left a lasting legacy that encourages us to celebrate the contributions of women in music history.
The video above contains:
- String Quartet No. 4 in B-Flat Major
- String Quartet No. 3 in G Minor (from 9:51)
- String Quartet No. 6 in E Major (from 21:19)
- String Quartet No. 1 in E-Flat Major (from 31:19)
- String Quartet No. 5 in F Minor (from 43:38)
- String Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major (from 56:12)
