Women in Classical Music
If you look at the listings of the major orchestras in America you will see two things in common; very few of them are programming major pieces by women composers, and almost none have a woman on the podium. Despite the abundance of wonderful compositions by women, the world of classical music has been, for centuries, a man’s world.
Classical 91.5 is committed to help turn things around by celebrating the achievements of women: from Hildegarde of Bingen to Jennifer Higdon, performing, conducting, composing and more. You'll hear women highlighted every day, not just during Women's History Month in March, but year round. It’s time.
There's lots more content online, from blog posts to videos, resources for research, a celebration of Women's Suffrage and even some Classics for Kids audio features and Quizzes on the right side of the screen. Please explore the site to find out more.
Learn more about:
Marin Alsop, conductor
Amy Beach, composer
Hildegard von Bingen, composer and mystic
Lili & Nadia Boulanger, musicians & teacher
Francesca Caccini, lutenist and composer
Sarah Caldwell, conductor
Cecile Chaminade, composer
Leonora d'Este, princess, musician & nun
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Louise Farrenc, pianist & composer
Renee Fleming, soprano
Elizabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, composer
Jennifer Higdon, composer
Sharon Isbin, guitarist
Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano
Saint Kassiani, composer
Jeanne Lamon, conductor
Missy Mazzoli, composer
Fanny Mendelssohn, composer
Eimear Noone, conductor and composer
Alondra de la Parra, conductor
Florence Price, composer
Clara Schumann, pianist & composer
Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen, violinist & composer
Undine Smith Moore, composer
Dame Ethel Smyth, composer
Barbara Strozzi, composer
Marcelle Germaine Taillefesse, composer
Ways to Connect
- WXXI Suffrage Moments
- Musical Women of the Suffrage Movement
- Classics for Kids: Women in History and Classical Music
- Classics for Kids: Women Composers of the Past
- Classics for Kids: Contemporary Women Composers
- Classics for Kids: What's it Like to be a Conductor
- Classics for Kids: Great Women Performers