I particularly enjoy the vocal line and splendour of the opening of the third lecon by these female performers. The Leçons are a series of three vocal pieces for high voices and continuo composed by Couperin for the liturgies of Holy Week in 1714. Rachel Portman was the first female composer to win an Academy Award (Best Original Score) for the film Emma in 1996 and I would love Rachel as a British composer to compose some solo harpsichord music to capture the baroque spirit linking old and new, as I always relish the chance to perform and record contemporary music.Ī contrast to Rachel’s compositions would be the spiritual Third Leçons de ténèbres by Francois Couperin – such as the recording by William Christie and Les Arts Florissants Sung by Sophie Daneman and Patricia Petibon with Anne-Marie Lasla on bass viol. Vivaldi’s Gloria was then filmed for television for Sky Arts in February 2009 when Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi recorded music for a Sky Arts series to accompany the publication of Peter Ackroyd’s book “Venice: Pure City”. This became a one hour documentary for BBC 4 Vivaldi’s Women – being first broadcast in 2008. I have enjoyed conducting them in this beautifully created sound world and recording with Rhodri Huw, Micheal Surcombe and Marshall Marcus. Those of you familiar with Vivaldi’s sacred music – The Gloria may know of The Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi ( Vivaldi’s Women) – an all female ensemble, who recreate the sound of Vivaldi’s Figlie di Choro, the foundlings from Venice’s Ospedale della Pieta. In the world of classical music only a few women have reached the zenith as conductors – Anne Manson was the music director of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, Sian Edwards reigned briefly as Music Director of the ENO, Jane Glover and Odaline de la Martinez both having international careers and conducted at the Proms. The tapestry of exceptional female musicians has rarely been drawn together and I now wish to share with you a little about my historical predecessors as well as current notable female musicians.

Spotify Sunday: A Musical Tapestry – by Bridget Cunningham The conductor and harpsichordist introduces her new Handel series for Signum Classics Some of the Articles and research can be found on the videos and podcast page.

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