Maria Brizzi Giorgi

Maria Brizzi Giorgi (1775-1812)

Maria Brizzi Giorgi (7 August 1775 – 7 January 1812 in Bologna) was an Italian organist, composer and pianist noted for her improvisational ability.

Biography

She was born in Bologna into a musical family and began to perform in public at an early age. She served as organist and choral director from 1787–89 with the Sisters of St. Bartholomew in Ancona and then returned to Bologna where she continued her studies in music.[1]

Brizzi married Luigi Giorgi in 1793 and opened a salon, continuing to perform as a pianist in Europe. She was admired as a performer, and Haydn, Muzio Clementi and Leopold Kozeluch dedicated works to her. A military march composed by Brizzi was performed for Napoleon when he passed through Bologna in 1807. She taught music and was member of the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna.[2] She died in Bologna after childbirth at the age of 36.[3]

References

1. Sadie, Julie Anne; Samuel, Rhian (1994). The Norton/Grove dictionary of women composers. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9780393034875. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
2. Barandoni, Stefano. "Brizzi Giorgi, Maria". Retrieved 29 January 2011.
3. Lewis Jr., Joseph W.; Lewis Jr., Joseph W. (2010). What Killed the Great and Not So Great Composers?.