Maddalena Laura Sirmen[a][b] (née Lombardini; 9 December 1745 – 18 May 1818) known as Madame Sirmen, was an Italian composer, violinist and opera singer of the Classical period.
Maddalena Laura Sirmen | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Maddalena Laura Sirmen | |
| Born | Maddalena Laura Lombardini 9 December 1745 |
| Died | 18 May 1818 (aged 72) Venice, Italy |
| Spouse |
Ludovico Sirmen (m. 1769) |
Biography
editBirth and Background
editBorn Maddalena Laura Lombardini[1] in Venice, Italy on December 9, 1745.[2] Her parents, Signor Piero Lombardini and his wife, Signora Gasparina Gambirasi[2] were poor, though came from noble origins.
At a young age, Maddalena showed musical talent and later began her studies at San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti.[3] Whilst attending San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti, Maddalena received Violin lessons from Giuseppe Tartini, visiting him in Padua, Italy.[3]
Career (1767–1785)
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In 1767, Maddalena graduated from San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti and was given an opportunity to pursue an independent musical career in Venice.[4] In the autumn of 1767, Maddalena married Violinist Ludovico Sirmen.[5]
An early critical notice she received as an adult performer was from Quirino Gasparini, who wrote:
- "She won the hearts of all the people of Turin with her playing . . . I wrote to old Tartini last Saturday telling him the good news. It will make him all the happier, since this student of his plays his violin compositions with such perfection that it is obvious she is his descendant".[6]
In 1773, Maddalena performed as a singer in London, United Kingdom, music critics expressed that vocals only distracted her from improving her violin playing.[7] In Russia, she worked with her husband during the spring of 1783 to September 1784, preforming as a violinist and singer at the court of Catherine II.[3]
In 1785, in Paris, France, Maddalena delivered her last performance as a violinist,[c] After she ended her solo career, Maddalena returned back to Italy, where she died on 18 May 1818 at the age of 72.[3]
Notes
edit- ^ Italian pronunciation: [maddaˈlena ˈlawra]
- ^ The surname is also spelled as Syrmen or Ceriman; most of her compositions were published under the name Syrmen.
- ^ Critics claimed that her playing style was outdated and did not correspond to the spirit of the times.
References
edit- ^ Grove 1954, p. 821.
- ^ a b Arnold 2002, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d Morgenstern, Anja (May 21, 2009). "Maddalena Sirmen" (in Dutch). Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ Scarpa 1978.
- ^ Centre d'études franco-italien 1985.
- ^ Pendle 1991, p. 114.
- ^ Marion 1933, pp. 149–163.
Bibliography
edit- Grove, George (January 1, 1954). Eric, Blom (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Vol. VII (5 ed.). St. Martin's Press. p. 821. ASIN B000GFPM5M. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- Arnold, Elsie; Berdes, Jane L. (2002). Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen: Eighteenth-century Composer, Violinist, and Businesswoman. Scarecrow Press. p. 8. ISBN 9780810841079. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- Scarpa, Jolando (1978). "Arte e musica all'Ospedaletto: schede d'archivio sull'attività musicale degli Ospedali dei Derelitti e dei Mendicanti di Venezia" [Art and music at the Ospedaletto: archive notes on the musical activity of the Hospitals of the Derelitti and Mendicanti of Venice]. Institutions for Care and Education (Venice). Venice Printing House Ed. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- Pendle, Karin (1991). Women & Music: A History. Indiana University Press. p. 114. ISBN 0253343216. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- Marion, Scott (April 1, 1933). Maddalena Lombardini, Madame Syrmen. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
External links
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