Bruce Gustafson, Review of Desperate Measures: The Life and Music of Antonia Padoani Bembo, by Claire Fontijn. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. xx, 372 pp.; compact disc (original) (raw)
2008, Journal of the American Musicological Society
AI-generated Abstract
This review discusses Claire Fontijn's book "Desperate Measures: The Life and Music of Antonia Padoani Bembo," which chronicles the life of the Venetian singer and composer Antonia Padoani Bembo. Fontijn's work is praised for its historical narrative style and thorough primary research, detailing the challenges faced while unearthing Bembo's story and compositions. The inclusion of a compact disc featuring performances of Bembo's works enhances the reading experience, despite some organizational challenges in the book's structure. Overall, this biography is recognized for its contribution to musicology and its engaging presentation.
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Desperate Measures: The Life and Music of Antonia Padoani Bembo
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One of the most fascinating figures of seventeenth-century music, composer and singer Antonia Padoani Bembo (c.1640 - c.1720) was active in both Venice and Paris. Her work provides a unique cross-cultural window into the rich musical cultures of these cities, yet owing to her clandestine existence in France, for almost three centuries Bembo's life was shrouded in mystery. In this first-ever biography, Clare Fontijn unveils the enthralling and surprising story of a remarkable woman who moved in the musical, literary, and artistic circles of these European cultural centers. Rebuffed in the attempt to divorce her abusive husband, Bembo fled to Paris, leaving her children in Venice. Joining ranks with composers glorifying Louis XIV, her song charmed the Sun King and won over his court's sympathy to the cause of women. She obtained his sponsorship to live in a semi-cloistered community in Paris, where she wrote music for the spiritual and worldly needs of the royal family. Offeri...
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