Women in Classical Music

A profile of Anna Magdalena Bach, wife of Johann Sebastian Bach and likely his musical collaborator as well.

Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.

A biography of the Scottish 20th century composer, known for her dramatic abstract style.

Your women's history guide brings you a biography and links for one of the most popular opera sopranos of recent history -- the first black opera singer on television.

Biography of a pioneer woman conductor, from your Women's History Guide.

Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.

A standard challenge: "Why no women Mozarts?" Besides the fact that there's only been one male Mozart, could we have known if Mozart's sister had great talent, given family and social roles, expectations and education for women? But some women nearly transcended those odds.

A musical prodigy (composing by age four, public piano recitals by seven), Amy Beach concentrated on composing during her marriage, returning to performance after her husband's death.

A book author describes Catherine Hayes, 19th century Irish opera and concert singer, including her life, her repertoire, and her itineraries.

Gale biography of Tania León, an internationally-renowned musician born in Cuba and of multiracial descent.