The French composer’s cantatas - mini operas in all but name – are being staged for the first time in the UK. They are among many forgotten works by women from past centuries. We’re missing out on amazing music, writes Toria Banks
Most people would struggle to name more than a handful of operas written by women. And alongside a few contemporary names, Ethel Smyth would probably be the only composer to feature from over a century ago. And yet there are literally hundreds of surviving pre-20th century operas by women composers, including about 30 from before 1800, not to mention oratorios and dramatic cantatas that are often just as theatrical. Ditte Hammar of Swedish feminist opera company Den Andra Operan told me that the first time someone handed her a list of operas by women she couldn’t believe it. “I couldn’t sleep! How can I have lived my whole life in the opera world and not have heard about this?” And really, that is the question.
Next week sees three UK premieres by a little-known composer. These works were not written last month, but 300 years ago and yet they have never been performed in the UK. They give voice to women whose stories – if told at all – have been told by male voices. They speak about courage, violence and endurance in music that is both beautiful and bold. Continue reading...
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