Born:
1665, baptized on March 17, 1665, her father was Claude Jacquet, an organist.
Birthplace:
Paris
Died:
June 27, 1729 in Paris
Also Known As:
Most notable French composer of the Baroque period, French composer and harpsichordist, wife of Marin de la Guerre (an organist), first French woman who published a book of harpsichord pieces and first French woman to compose an opera.
Type of Compositions:
Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre wrote instrumental
chamber music including
sonatas.She wrote pieces for the keyboard including
suites and vocal pieces such as
operas,
cantatas,
songs and
airs.
Influence:
She came from a musically talented family. Her father was an organist, her great uncle and uncle made musical instruments, her two brothers were also organist and her sister was a protégé of the Princess of Guise. It is also known that King Louis XIV was her patron and supported her talent financially.
Notable Works:
Some of her known compositions are: "Les Pièces de Clavecin," (first book published, collection of harpsichord pieces) "Pièces de Clavecin qui peuvent se jouer sur le viollon," "Les jeux à l’honneur de la victoire" (ballad, now lost) and "Cephale et Procris" (a musical tragedy).
Interesting Facts:
At the age of 5, Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre performed for King Louis XIV. They were so impressed with her talent on the harpsichord and her beautiful voice that the King allowed her to stay there until she married in 1684. She had a son who died in the early 1700's, followed by her husband's death in 1704. Perhaps as a way to overcome her grief, she decided to hold concerts in her home. The concerts were well-attended and she continued to perform before retiring in 1717.
Music Sample:
Air de Violon from www.earlywomenmasters.net
