Event 3 in the Otley Baroque May Festival (3rd to 5th May)

Step into the world of Baroque music and uncover the brilliance of two trailblazing female composers, Barbara Strozzi and Isabella Leonarda. In an era where men predominantly shaped the cultural and musical landscape, these extraordinary women rose above to create music of profound beauty and passion.

Hailing from Venice, Barbara Strozzi is celebrated for her secular vocal music, which reveals her emotional depth. Meanwhile Isabella Leonarda, a nun of the Ursline Convent in Novara, captivates us with her sacred compositions, marked by elegance and complexity.

Performed by Baroque music specialists from London and Otley, this concert brings their works to life with exceptional artistry:

Netsuko Someya, soprano
Christiina Watt, theorbo & soprano
Matthew Brown, harpsichord
Asuka Sumi & Derek Revill, baroque violins