Francesca Caccini nicknamed ‘La Cecchina’ meaning song-bird was a popular singer, lutenist, poet, and composer of the early Baroque era. Francesca had a successful career with her opera ‘La liberazione di Ruggiero’, believed to be the oldest opera composed by a female composer. Not bad for a woman at a time “…when the role of women was a hotly debated topic among Florentine intellectuals…” Read on to learn about her life and work.
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Francesca was born on the 18th of September, in Florence, Italy to Lucia Gagnolanti and composer Giulio Caccini. The family home was filled with her fathers musical pupils and local poets and painters. Francesca received a humanistic education studying Latin, rhetoric, geometry, philosophy, astrology, contemporary languages and was “…trained to be the ‘genteel woman’ society demanded.” Alongside her academic studies, she was taught to read music and play several musical instruments by her father. Francesca performed alongside her parents, her half-brother Pompeo, her sister Settimia, and possibly other unnamed Caccini pupils in an ensemble contemporaries referred to as ‘le donne di Giulio Romano’ which were popular at the time. The family continued to perform together; until her sister married and moved away.
In October 1600 Francesca performed at the marriage of Marie de’ Medici and Henri IV, King of France, after her performance the King proclaimed her as “…the best singer in the country…” and offered her a position in the French court. Many sources suggest Francesca turned down his offer because her father wanted her to stay in Italy so he would not have to give up the “…prestige he maintained in Italy because of his daughter’s many talents.” Having declined the King’s offer, the family returned to Florence where Francesca joined the Medici court as an all-around musician. In 1607, Francesca worked with the poet and artist, Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger, who had been hired to direct and write that year’s festivities entitled ‘La Stiava,’ which was a dance representing war battles. It was the start of a lifelong friendship between the two.
Francesca married Giovanni Battista Signorini, a tenor and string player who was also part of the Medici court; some sources suggest the marriage was arranged by the Grand Duchess. The two continued to perform at court and by 1614 Francesca was the court’s highest paid musician, “…in no small part because her musical virtuosity so well exemplified an idea of female excellence projected by Tuscany’s de facto Regent, Grand-Duchess Christina of Lorraine.” In 1618, Francesca, now aged thirty published ‘Il primo libro delle musiche’, dedicated to Cardinal Cosimo de’ Medici, the son of Grand Duke Ferdinando I and Christine de Lorraine. It was made up of thirty-two “…sacred and secular pieces, solos, and duets and included varying styles from expressive to lighthearted, florid to simple.” This is where things get a bit ‘girlpower’ as it was a; “…uniquely female centred publication; they were written for women, by women, and were approved by the powerful Medici women.” This was not her only work, she also wrote hundreds of shorter vocal works which were performed by her students for private concerts and at least seventeen theatrical works. As well as writing and performing, Francesca taught students, using her compositions from ‘Il primo libro delle musiche’ to teach her female students vocal techniques. Alongside her musical career Francesca managed her household, and in 1622 gave birth to her daughter, Margherita.
Francesca Caccini – Francesca Caccini (1587-1640) – 21 of the greatest women composers in classical… – Classic FM
Whilst Francica has never been described as a great beauty she has been described as “…high spirited, funny, passionately committed to study,” with the ability to “…work such stunning effects in the minds of her listeners that she changed them from what they had been.” in 1624, Archduchess Maria Maddalena commissioned a work titled ‘La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina’ to be performed at a state visit by her brother, Archduke Karl of Styria, and her nephew, Crown Prince Wladislaw. Ferdinando Saracinelli wrote the libretto, architect Giulio Parigi designed the sets which represented “…the dynamics of Tuscan women at court with its many female roles, some of which possessed great power,” and Francesca wrote the vocal music. It came together as a “….unique spectacle and represented one of the earliest versions of music theatre in history.”
The success of La Liberazione Francesca was commissioned to write two stage works for Prince Wladisla in 1926. After the death of her husband she moved to Lucca, where she began working for Vincenzo Buonvisi. In Lucca she met and married aristocrat Tommaso Raffaelli and gave birth to a son named Tommasino, sadly, the marriage was short lived as Raffaelli died soon after. Alone with two children to raise, Francesca reached out to the Medici family who urged her to return to Florence. Her return was delayed by plague outbreaks and lived in an apartment behind the Dominican monastery of Santa Croce until 1641 when she was able to return to Florence, and the Medici court.
Francesca petitioned the Medici court to allow her daughter Margherita to be able to enjoy a singer’s life, saying “…a father and mother can have no greater desire than to make themselves anew in their children, leaving them heirs of their professions and virtu.” This was allowed and both mother and daughter were “…hailed for their talented musicianship, thereby solidifying Caccini’s 40-year career as a composer, singer, and teacher through her daughter, who continued her musical legacy.” Francesca left Medici service on the 8th of May, 1641 and disappeared from public record, and whilst details of her death have not been confirmed most sources suggest she died near Lucca in August 1646.
Francesca’s immense talent saw her excel at a time when women’s roles away from the home were being discussed and redefined. Not only did she succeed as a woman, she ensured the success of those who came after her.
Author – Gemma Apps.
Sources:
File:Francesca Caccini.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
Francesca Caccini — A Modern Reveal: Songs and Stories of Women Composers
Francesca Caccini (1587-1640) – 21 of the greatest women composers in classical… – Classic FM
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/francesca-caccini-521.php
Francesca Caccini – Music By Women
Sounds and Sweet Airs: The Forgotten Women of Classical Music. By Anna Beer.
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