The name Maddalena Casulana may not ring a bell for you. She lived in the early 16th century — from around 1530 until around 1586, not even her exact birth and death dates are confirmed — and little is known about her life. We do know she was the first female composer in the history of western music to have a whole book of her music printed and published, her first book of madrigals. We also know she was a singer and lute player herself. She dedicated that first book of madrigals to Isabella de’ Medici, demonstrating she understood she was a trailblazer in the dedication, saying she wanted, “… to show the world, as much as I can in this profession of music, the vain error of men that they alone possess the gifts of intellect and artistry, and that such gifts are never given to women.”
This is Beautiful Music by Maddalean Casulana, including selections from a lovely June 2015 performance by the young women of Ensemble Vocal Luna in Havana, Cuba, directed by Wilmia Verrier.
(61) Maddalena Casulana – Madrigales – YouTube
(61) Stavasi il mio bel sol- Maddalena Casulana – YouTube
(61) Maddalena Casulana – Ensemble Laus Concentus – YouTube
Maddalena Casulana – ChoralWiki (cpdl.org)