Poet, composer, singer, musician, Tarquinia Molza was one of the leading figures of northern Italian musical culture during the second half of the sixteenth century, She was the oldest and most experienced of the female musicians at the court of Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.  Her performance style was seminal to the creation of the concerto delle donne, and she is said to have acted as instructor and conductor to her fellow musicians.  She is one of the few women known to have been an active, named member of a humanist academy.

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Written by Laurie Stras.

Last updated 04 October, 2002.

The views expressed in this document are those of the author and not those of the University of Southampton.