THE FUTILE ERROR OF MEN

“…show the world the futile error of men who believe themselves patrons of the high gifts of intellect, which according to them cannot also be held in the same way by women.”

— MADDALENA CASULANA

In 1568, Maddalena Casulana published her First Book of Madrigals, the first complete volume of music by a woman to be published in recorded western music history. The quote above is excerpted from her dedication in the front of the book. Casulana went on to publish two more books of madrigals as well as pieces which were included in other collections. Of her complete works, 66 madrigals survive. 

When I began my university-level music studies 25 years ago, my introductory survey course of music history really led one to believe that the music was solely composed by white men, in large part. Barbara Strozzi was presented as one of a very few exceptions to the rule. Yet the truth is that music composition was not the lone domain of men for all these centuries: women were creating great works the whole time alongside their male counterparts. We just looked the other way, our patriarchal gaze focused on other things, creating a canon based on false pretenses.

This song below, Vagh’amorosi augelli, is taken from Casulana’s second book of madrigals. Next week, on January 20th, it will open San Francisco Performances’ 2021 Salon Series, and begin an exploration of nearly 5 centuries of music by women composers over the course of four salon recitals this month and next.

If you’re in the Bay Area and are boosted (a requirement for entry to the War Memorial), please come join us next Thursday as we attempt to wipe the film of patriarchy from our lens and begin to paint a more complete and inclusive picture of the history of Western music.