Maria Rosa Coccia (1759 - 1833) Italy
- andreachamizoalber
- Sep 1
- 1 min read
Harpsichordist and composer. She rose to fame at a young age, composing six sonatas and the oratorio Daniello at the age of 13, which was performed at San Filippo Neri, defying the tradition of prohibiting women from attending the event.
I share then the first of the 6 sonatas with a link to download the score.
In 1716, Pope Clement XI decreed that all musicians in Rome must enter the Academy of Santa Cecilia and pass the exam to become a Chapel Master. At 16, Coccia passed the exam and received the title, but because she was a woman, she was never allowed to perform the duties of the position, although her music was performed. Her exam piece, "Hic vir despiciens mundum," was widely acclaimed. Listen to it and see what you think.
In 1780, Francesco Capalti of Narni Cathedral attacked Maria Rosa's composition exam and refused to grant her the title. She was defended by Michele Mallio in his Elogio storico della signora Maria Rosa Coccia romana (Rome, 1780), which contains letters of support from Metastasio, Carlo Broschi, and Giovanni Battista Martini. In 1784, Pasquale Antonio Basili published an open letter in defense of Coccia and against criticism of Capalti. (You're not popular, Capalti!) Maria Rosa Coccia died in Rome in November 1833.
I share her work Dixit Dominus for 2 choirs and organ.
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