Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 14, 1751 in Guben, Germany

Death

:

August 23, 1802 in Ilmenau

 

Corona Elisabeth Wilhelmine Schröter was a German composer and pianist who lived from 1751 to 1802. She was born in Guben, a small town in the state of Brandenburg, and showed an early talent for music. Her father, Johann Samuel Schröter, was a musician and composer himself, and he recognized his daughter's potential and began teaching her music at a young age. Schröter's musical education continued when she was sent to study with Johann Philipp Kirnberger, a prominent composer and music theorist who had been a student of Johann Sebastian Bach. Kirnberger recognized Schröter's talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She continued her studies with him for several years, learning composition, keyboard performance, and music theory. In 1775, Schröter moved to Berlin, where she became a prominent figure in the city's musical scene. She performed regularly as a pianist and composer, and her works were well-received by audiences and critics alike. She also became a member of the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts, which was a significant achievement for a woman in the male-dominated world of classical music. Schröter's compositions were varied in style and form, ranging from keyboard works to vocal music to chamber music. Her keyboard music was particularly notable, and she was known for her skillful use of counterpoint and her ability to create complex and intricate textures. Her vocal music was also highly regarded, and she wrote several operas, cantatas, and songs. One of Schröter's most famous works is her opera "Die Matrone von Ephesus" (The Matron of Ephesus), which was first performed in 1778. The opera tells the story of a woman who is falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to death, but is ultimately saved by the intervention of the goddess Diana. The opera was a critical and popular success, and it helped establish Schröter's reputation as a composer. Another notable work by Schröter is her "Sonata in C Minor," which was written for keyboard and published in 1784. The sonata is a complex and challenging work, with intricate counterpoint and a wide range of emotions. It is considered one of Schröter's finest compositions, and it has been performed and recorded by many pianists over the years. Despite her success as a composer and performer, Schröter faced many challenges as a woman in the male-dominated world of classical music. She was often criticized for her gender and her unconventional lifestyle, which included living with a female partner and wearing men's clothing. She also struggled with financial difficulties throughout her life, and was forced to sell many of her possessions to make ends meet. Schröter's career was cut short by her untimely death in 1802, at the age of 51. However, her legacy as a composer and pianist has endured, and her works continue to be performed and studied today. She was a pioneer for women in classical music, and her contributions to the field have helped pave the way for future generations of female composers and performers.

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