A question about women in the 19th century. Please answer?

Question

This is hypothetical, not real. suppose a woman around 1815, or so, married a count but he died and she was a countess. Inherited all of his money, had no children. Was a genius and evryone knew it who knew her. Very beautiful and still young. Do you think it would have been acceptable for her to be a composer, or do you think people would have laughed at it. Most composers back then were men, but not all of them were. I know weird question.

Answer 1

Historically, women in music have been considered unusual and sometimes unwelcome. Now compositions of previous centuries are being heard again, and female composers, performers and musical directors are beginning to get accepted. However they still seem to receive a critical approach which relates to gender rather than ability.

Many people know about Schumann and Mendelssohn - Clara and Fanny, that is. Their famous surnames make them easy to remember, which is not to acknowledge that they were both exceptional individuals. Clara's achievements as one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century is well documented. Only recently have we got to know her highly expressive voice as a composer. Fanny sustained a musical life despite considerable discouragement; her compositions, which she wrote for her own Sunday Musicales, demonstrate an energetic and adventurous nature.



Picking two names that are less well known, Louise Farrenc and Marianne Martinez embody some other characteristics, including steady devotion to music and sturdy determination to pursue their interests regardless of others' attitudes.



"Mozart was an almost constant attendant at her parties and I have heard him play duets of his own composition on the piano-forte with her." This was reported by the tenor Michael Kelly of Marianne Martinez in about 1785. Lucky woman! Martinez's substantial canon of work indicates an ambitious imagination. She not only wrote Concertos, Sonatas, Cantatas and Masses, but also a huge dramatic Oratorio.



Louise Farrenc was also an acknowledged part of the musical scene of her day, which was Paris in the mid 19th century. She received appreciative reviews about her compositions, including compliments from Berlioz on her orchestration. One of her clever moves was to marry a music publisher, which meant that many of her works were issued in print. Her best works are for piano and chamber ensemble and her style includes some beautiful use of chromatic harmony.

More information

http://www.ambache.co.uk/women.htm#Who

Answer 2

Certain levels of society - her fellow Counts and Countesses - would probably accept her as a composer if she limited her performances to their own comfortable parlors and ballrooms. Being a performer (composer or not) was only slightly more socially acceptable than being a prostitute in the early 19th century in Europe and the Americas. If she put on public performances (like Beethoven or Mozart) she would be shunned - if she were even allowed.

It's likely there were hundreds and hundreds of talented 19th century female composers, artists, writers and poets whose works ended up buried in an attic somewhere or were destroyed without ever being read because of the social restrictions of the time.

Answer 3

Inheritance laws and cultural issues would vary by country, but in general - I'm assuming no other close male relatives? If her father's still alive, or her husband's father or older brother, she could conceivably pass into their custody, making it very difficult to determine the course of her own life. But in general, young, wealthy widows actually had it pretty well off. Money makes a difference anywhere.

She probably would not get the renown of her male counterparts. However, running a small salon for other members of the nobility and creating a small cabal of those "in the know" about her and her music is entirely plausible. Those who knew about her would probably highly respect her, and if she's as smart as you say, she'd make sure to play up to male egos so as not to seem a threat. Some might have scoffed, but then, anyone boorish enough to do so where People of Quality could hear simply wouldn't get invited to the best parties.

If you don't mind a long read, look up Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle. It takes place about 100 years earlier, but the character of Eliza is a great example of a smart woman functioning in a man's world. (There's a lot of other story too, but to get a feel for this idea, look for Eliza. She's the type who could have pulled off the scene you're describing.)

(btw, is this for a character in a game or story you're writing?)

Answer 4

At that time, she would not have inherited all his money. His money would have gone to his brother or another male relative. If, by some miracle, she got his money, her intelligence would have caused her to be tried as a witch. Smart women back then were killed because people thought that any woman who possessed intelligence and used it must have made a contract with the devil. In addition, she would not have been too successful as a composer, simply because she was a woman. Most composers are only appreciated posthumously (after death).

Answer 5

It's possible since she was a countess. Very often well-off women like that would entertain at parties, playing piano or whatever. There's no reason why she shouldn't have tried out her own compositions!

Answer 6

There were many women accepted in the arts, such as Mary Shelley, but she was Percy's wife. I'm sure you can find others, but what has that to do with who she married?

Answer 7

Women could be accepted as composers.

Look at Beethoven's sister, though never as famous as her brother, she still produced a lot of highly respected work.

Answer 8

She could have been a composer, but most likely would not have got any fame from it. Even if she was extremely talented.

Answer 9

Not that weird, not at all. If she has money and a title she could certainly do it but she might not get published or perform. Most likely not in fact.

Answer 10

Angel seems to have an excellent answer. I just want to comment that it sounds like you are outlining a potential novel.