Classical

"Classical" is a loose expression for formal or art music. There is no accurate term to describe this tradition of music. For the purpose of documenting women's roles therein, "classical" will be divided into early or church music; salon music; opera; and music for the concert hall. This section is sort of a pathfinder within a pathfinder because of the breadth of Duke's collection in this area.

• Classical Reference Works
• Early/Church Music
• Salon Music
• Opera
• Concert Hall Music

Classical Reference Works

Claghorn, Charles Eugene. Women Composers and Hymnists : A Concise Biographical Dictionary. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1984.

The first and only comprehensive biographical dictionary of women hymnists and composers of church and sacred music covering Protestant denominations as well as Roman Catholic and Jewish traditions. With 155 composers and 600 hymnists. Divinity Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 783.026092 C584, W872, 1984

Cohen, Aaron I. International Encyclopedia of Women Composers. New York: Books & Music (USA), 1987.

A two volume set, this is the first work of international scope on the topic. With 6,000 composers from over 70 countries. Also contains numerous extra sections on quotations, a statistical breakdown of the book, every conceivable index, notable facts and more. Music Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 780.92 C678, I61, 1987

Sadie, Julie Anne and Rhian Samuel, ed. The Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers. New York, London: W.W. Norton, 1995.

Just published in 1995, this is the last in the subject dictionaries related to the 20 volume New Grove Dictionary compiled because the parent dictionary had only modest coverage of women. Contains entries on nearly 900 composers writing in the Western Art Tradition. Music Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 780.92082 N884, 1995

Epstein, Selma. A Guide for Researching Music by Women Composers. United States: Chromattica USA, 1990.

The "author" of more than a dozen sound discs of women's classical music, Epstein compiled this list of organizations, major international libraries (of which Duke is a member), bibliographies, reference works, journals, and biographies of women in formal music. Music Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 016.78092 E64, G946, 1990

Frasier, Jane. Women Composers : A Discography. Detroit, MI: Information Coordinators, 1983.

A list of art music composed by women and neglected in music history. With a composer list, record company index, title index and genre index including chamber music, choral music, electronic music, stage works, and vocal music among others. 337 women and 1030 discs listed. Music Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 016.78 D483, no.50, 1983

Early/Church Music

This music was generally composed between 750 BC and 1600 AD and includes sacred as well as secular music.

Flanagan, Sabina. Hildegard of Bingen, 1098-1179 : A Visionary Life. London, New York: Routledge, 1990.

A biography of a renaissance woman in ten chapters with one in particular on her music: "Celestial Harmonies", as well as relevant passages in other parts of the book. A feminist analysis of how Hildegard got to do what she did which concludes that her status as a prophet superseded the restrictions she would have encountered as a woman. Divinity -- CALL NUMBER: 282.092 H642, F583, 1990

Kendrick, Robert L. Genres, Generations and Gender : Nuns' Music in Early Modern Milan, c. 1550-1706. Thesis at New York University: 1993.

Written to fulfill the requirements of a PhD, this tome is about church music in 16th and 17th centuries Milan, Italy, specifically the sacred vocal music made by women in religious orders from counter-reformation to early modern Catholicism. With insight into intellectual life and theology in the context of early modern Milan. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 722.220945 K33, G335, 1994

Anonymous 4. An English Ladymass Medieval Chant and Polyphony. Los Angeles, CA: Harmonia Mundi France, 1992.

A Ladymass is a mass to the Blessed Virgin offered daily at the Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, England and every Saturday in most large churches in their ladychapels in the 13th century. Anonymous 4 is one of the very few women's groups specializing in the discovery and performance of medieval music. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: CD 1893

Hildegard, Saint, 1098-1179. The Lauds of Saint Ursula. Bloomington, IN: Focus, 1991.

Selections from the liturgy of Lauds for St. Ursula's Day as it was celebrated in Hildegard's convent in the 12th century. With a biographical sketch of Hildegard. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: CD 1526

Masterworks Chorale. Choral Music by Women Performers. [S.l.]: Access Records, 1985.

Early Italian madrigals and secular choruses performed by six women: 4 flutes, one percussionist, and one pianist. With biographical information on the six composers represented. Texts in English and French. Music Media Center -- LP 126

Songs of Sappho. New York: The Company, 1988.

A 25 minute color videotape by the chorus of the New York Greek Drama Company. Six poems performed in six different pastoral scenes with the chorus singing to Sappho as well as Sappho singing to the chorus. Also with dancing and period dress. In Ancient Greek with English Subtitles. An excellent way to see the role of music in the lives of these women of ancient history. Lilly A-V Video cassette -- Call Number: 3490

Jane Berdes Papers

Research archives (49,000 items) relating to classical music including women in Baroque music and Venice, Italy as a center for this music. Contains manuscripts, monographs, and other publications, notes, clippings, articles, music manuscripts, audio cassettes, video cassette, microfilm, and slides. Collection guide available. Special Collections Library -- CALL NUMBER: X

Salon Music

Salon music was music composed and performed in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries by women in their homes sometimes with no expected audience, but more often in groups, or salons, of women. The Salon was nearly the only context in which women were free to express their art during this period of history.

Tick, Judith, ed. Women Making Music: the Western Art Tradition, 1150-1950. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1986.

Six essays about women musicians with the best explanation and description of the Salon Movement. Also with a history and critical commentary on the periods before and after it. With illustrations, bibliographic references, and a comprehensive index. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 780.88042 W872, 1986

La Flute Enchantee, French Pieces for Flute and Orchestra. Colchester, England: Chandos Records, 1990.

One flute with the City of London Sinfonia perform pieces of six composers including Cecile Chaminade, an important French Salon composer. Her Concertino is an excellent example of the genre. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: CD 987

Lieder by Women Composers. United States: Musical Heritage Society, 1989.

Nine composers are represented here in 22 pieces interpreted by two singers and a pianist. With a biographical sketch of the composers and a short discussion of Salon Music. Lieder were a favored form by women of the Salon Movement. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBERS: CD 98

Opera

Opera is a dramatic performance set to music, in which words are sung in the form of recitatives, arias, and ensembles, usually accompanied by orchestra and generally performed with sets and costumes.

Clément, Catherine, translated by Betsy Wing. Opera, or, The Undoing of Women. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 1988.

This controversial book was written by a non-musician on the subject of women's roles in opera. A feminist criticism of opera music which leads to the rejection of opera as a form in which "men and women can live freely and openly together" as women always sing their undoing. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 782.109 C626, O61, 1988

Kestling, Jurgen. Maria Callas. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press, 1993.

A recent biography which attempts to assemble, sort and interpret facts and fictions of this legendary Diva. A chronicle of her life and career from her apprenticeship with Elvira de Hidalgo to her travels around the world and the price she paid for success. With a glossary, discography, bibliography, black and white photos of stage performances, and a description of her recordings. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 782.1092 C156, K42, 1993

Matheopoulos, Helena. Diva : Great Sopranos and Mezzos Discuss Their Art. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press, 1992.

Interviews with contemporary women opera singers in which they discuss their repertoire and the art of singing. The artists analyze some of the roles for which they are best known, trace their vocal development, comment on operatic life, and offer advice to young singers. Compiled as a companion book to Bravo, a book about male opera singers. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 782.1092 M426, D618, 1992

The Prima Donna's Album : A Collection of 41 Celebrated Cavatinas and Arias (in their original keys) Extracted from Famous op.G. New York: Schirmer, 19--?

Musical score consisting of excerpts from operas such as Barber of Seville by Rossini, Don Giovanni by Mozart, and Tosca by Puccini. With English translations of lyrics and piano music accompaniment. It's interesting to see what the Diva sees (and to know what she's saying!). Duke Off-Site Stacks -- CALL NUMBER: M782.1 P952 1900z

Diva. New York: MGM/UA Home Video, 1983

A romantic thriller set in Paris, this movie is about a diva's fan making a recording of her performance without her knowledge or consent for which he is stalked by thugs who plan to blackmail her. With twisty subplots and edge-of-the-seat action as well as excellent music. In French with English subtitles. Lilly A-V Video cassette -- CALL NUMBER: 224

Simms, Jessie. Papers

Chiefly a diary kept by Simms while touring with the Andrews Opera Company throughout the United States. It contains the complete itinerary of two of the Company's tours. Diary entries describe the places they visited, sightseeing, and Opera Company members. The volume also contains about 100 pages of mounted ephemera, including magazine photographs, theater programs, maps, and news articles as well as a few pages of autographs. Special Collections Library -- CALL NUMBER: X

Concert Hall Music

Music for the concert hall is composed and performed for an audience. It can take the form of chamber music, or music for a small ensemble, as well as orchestral music, or music for a large group of musicians.

Green, Mildred Denby. Black Women Composers : a Genesis. Boston, CN: Twayne Publishers, 1983.

An examination of five women, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Julia Perry, Evelyn Pittman, and Lena McLin, about whom little was previously written. These composers blended jazz, blues, and spiritual elements with traditions of Western European music to create an original style. Included in this work are their words, music, a bibliography, discography, and a catalog of musical works. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 780.92 G797, B627, 1983

Jenkins, Walter S. The Remarkable Mrs. Beach, American Composer. Warren, MI: Harmonie Park Press, Detroit Monographs in Music, n.13, 1994.

A biographical account of this composer and philanthropist whose symphonies, Mass, and concerto were widely performed in the U.S. and abroad particularly between 1893 and 1914. Based on her diaries, letters, newspaper clippings, and personal reminiscences. She is one of the first women composers to have achieved wide respect and popularity. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 781.09 D483 n.13, 1994

Jezic, Diane Peacock. Women Composers : The Lost Tradition Found. New York: Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 1994.

Short biographies of women in music from Medieval and Baroque Periods, Classical and Romantic Periods, early 20th century, and six living composers. International in scope with photos, musical examples, a selected list of works, a discography, and a bibliography. Music -- CALL NUMBER: 780.92 J59, W872, 1994

Reich, Nancy B. Clara Schumann, The Artist and The Woman. Ithica, NY: Cornell University Press, 1985.

A biography of this influential 19th century composer re-examines old sources and an introduction of new information. Includes the story of her life and the people she knew, along with a chronology, bibliography, and illustrations. Accessible to students of both music and women's studies! Music -- CALL NUMBER: 786.1092 S392, R347, 1985

Zaimont, Judith Lang. Contemporary Concert Music by Women : A Directory of the Composers and Their Works. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1981.

A Bio-bibliography in directory format of concert music by women of the last two centuries. With an extensive discography and numerous illustrations to give the reader an feeling for these women and their work. Music Reference -- CALL NUMBER: 780.92 Z21, C761, 1981

Epstein, Selma. Women Composers, An International Sampler. Chromattica USA, 1988.

A recording on cassette of piano music by Epstein on which she interprets the music of composers such as Amy Beach, Fanny Ralston, and Maria Theresia von Paradis as well as other women composers from around the world. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: SC 21

Epstein, Selma. Works By Women. Chromattica USA, 1990.

Another cassette of Epstein playing the piano music of women composers from France, Britain, Germany and other countries mostly in Western Europe. A nice way to hear different musical traditions which co-exist so closely together. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: SC 25

The Women's Philharmonic: Lili Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Germaine Tailleferre, Fanny Mendelssohn. Westbury, NY: Koch International Classics, 1992.

This disc comprises 66 minutes of music with program and biographical notes of the four composers whose music is performed. The music consists of overtures, concertos for harp and piano, as well as orchestral music. Music Media Center -- CALL NUMBER: CD 2042

Viola Hill Papers

African American coloratura soprano of Philadelphia, Pa. About 600 letters, most addressed to Hill, and notes, postcards, annotated sheet music, clippings, programs, and other material. The collection presents a detailed record of Hill's assiduous efforts to market her musical skills, and includes materials on her performances in many locations including Raleigh, N.C., and other activities in black music circles. Special Collections Library -- CALL NUMBER: X