Louise Farrenc

Born Jeanne-Louise Dumont in Paris, Farrenc was something of a musical prodigy, studying piano with Ignaz Moscheles and Johann Nepomuk Hummel, and composition with Anton Reicha. Her career flourished, establishing her as a formidable pianist and a prolific composer, writing symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces that were well-regarded in her time.

In 1842, Farrenc achieved a significant milestone, becoming the only woman appointed to a permanent professorship at the prestigious Paris Conservatory during the entire 19th century. A true pioneer, she taught piano for over three decades and even had to fight for equal pay, eventually receiving the same salary as her male counterparts in 1850. Take that, patriarchy!

Despite her considerable success and critical acclaim, her music, like that of many women composers, fell into obscurity after her death. However, thanks to a resurgence of interest in historical women composers, her work is now being rediscovered and celebrated, proving that talent, much like a good piece of schnitzel, will always find its way back to the table.