Female vocal music in Europe has a long and rich history, spanning from the medieval era to the present day. Some of the most influential female composers, singers and bands in various genres of music have emerged from Europe, contributing to the diversity and creativity of the musical landscape. Here are some examples of female vocal music in Europe:
- Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, mystic and visionary who composed some 70 works, including the Ordo Virtutum, the oldest surviving morality play. She is considered one of the first female composers in classical music and one of the most important medieval composers of sacred music.
- Francesca Caccini (1587-1640) was an Italian singer, lutenist, poet and teacher who was the daughter of the renowned composer Giulio Caccini. She was one of the most influential female European composers of her time, but very little of her music survives. Her stage work, La liberazione di Ruggiero, is considered to be the first opera by a woman.
- Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was an Italian singer and composer who was said to be “the most prolific composer – man or woman – of printed secular vocal music in Venice” in the middle of the 17th century. Her unique output only contains secular vocal music, with the exception of one volume of sacred songs. The majority of her works were written for soprano.
- Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) was a French pianist and composer who received piano lessons from masters such as Ignaz Moscheles and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. She was one of the most productive female composers of her time, but she was paid less than her male counterparts for nearly a decade. Only after the triumphant premiere of her Nonet for wind and strings did she demand and receive equal pay.
- Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847) was a German pianist and composer who was the sister of Felix Mendelssohn. She composed more than 460 works, including a piano trio and several books of piano pieces and songs. Some of her works were originally published under Felix’s name. Her piano works are often in the style of songs and carry the title, “Song without Words”.
- Clara Schumann (1819-1896) was a German pianist and composer who was the wife of Robert Schumann and one of the most distinguished pianists of her time. She enjoyed a 61-year concert career and composed works such as piano concertos, piano sonatas, lieder, chamber music and choral music.
- Adele (1988-) is an English singer-songwriter who is one of the best-selling artists of all time. She has won numerous awards, including 15 Grammys, an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Her powerful voice and emotional lyrics have made her popular across various genres, such as pop, soul, R&B and blues.
- Amy Winehouse (1983-2011) was an English singer-songwriter who was known for her distinctive voice and eclectic mix of musical influences, such as jazz, soul, R&B, ska and reggae. She won five Grammys for her second album, Back to Black, which is one of the best-selling albums in UK history. She struggled with substance abuse and died at the age of 27.
- Duffy (1984-) is a Welsh singer-songwriter who rose to fame with her debut album, Rockferry, which won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Her retro style and soulful voice have been compared to Dusty Springfield and Lulu. She has also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Patagonia and Legend.
- Jessie J (1988-) is an English singer-songwriter who has achieved success both as a solo artist and as a songwriter for other artists, such as Miley Cyrus, Chris Brown and Alicia Keys. Her debut album, Who You Are, spawned several hit singles, such as “Price Tag”, “Domino” and “Nobody’s Perfect”. She is also known for her philanthropy and activism for various causes.
- The 5.6.7.8’s are a Japanese rock band that consists of Yoshiko “Ronnie” Fujiyama, Sachiko Fujii and Akiko Omo. They are known for their garage rock sound and their covers of American rockabilly and surf rock songs. They gained international exposure after appearing in Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill Vol. 1 with their song “Woo Hoo”.
- Afrirampo are a Japanese noise rock duo that consists of Oni and Pikachu. They are known for their energetic and chaotic live performances, which often involve costumes, face paint and improvisation. They have collaborated with artists such as Sonic Youth, Lightning Bolt and Acid Mothers Temple.
- Ajaqa are an Australian pop rock band that consists of four sisters: Erica, Tracy, Catherine and Mary Ajaka. They are of Lebanese descent and sing in both English and Arabic. They have released two albums, Ajaqa and Ajaqa II, and have performed at various festivals and events, such as the Sydney Olympics and the World Youth Day.
- Aldious are a Japanese metal band that consists of Yoshi, Toki, Sawa, Rin and Marina. They are one of the most prominent all-female metal bands in Japan and have been dubbed as the “Iron Maidens of Japan”. They have released seven albums, including Radiant A, Unlimited Diffusion and Evoke.
- The All Girl Summer Fun Band are an American indie pop band that consists of Kim Baxter, Ari Douangpanya, Kathy Foster and Jen Sbragia. They are known for their catchy melodies, harmonies and lyrics about love, friendship and fun. They have released three albums, The All Girl Summer Fun Band, 2 and Looking Into It.
Artist Name
Hasenchat Music
Record Label
Hasenchat Music Germany
UPC
888174005232
Release Date
5/1/2013
Primary Genre
Electronic
Secondary Genre
Electronic
Primary Subgenre
House
Secondary Subgenre
Dance
Mood/Style
Mood: Party Music
Album Language
English
Artist Sounds Like
Add Info
Artist Location
GERMANY