Barbara Strozzi

Barbara Strozzi’s life is a source of wonder and respect: as the illegitimate daughter of a domestic servant, she grew up in the house of Giulio Strozzi, who regularly hosted numerous artists. Barbara Strozzi earned her living as a singer and composer. It is said that she enjoyed such financial independence that she was able to lend considerable sums of money to friends. Strozzi never married and was never employed. The piece “Voi sete o begli occhi” is found in her first book of madrigals, which was published in Venice in 1644.