July 18 - Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 18th are found here: Pauline Viardot (2019), Richard Branson (2020), and Giovanni Battista Bononcini; Pauline Viardot (2021)

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Maria Antonia, Princess of Bavaria, Electress of Saxony (18 July 1724 – 23 April 1780) was a German princess, composer, singer, harpsichordist, and patron of the arts, known particularly for her operas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Help 1

In Greek mythology, Harmonia is the immortal goddess of harmony and concord. – Wikipedia, s.v. “Harmonia”

When Duchess Maria Antonia

Appealed to the goddess Harmonia,

She asked that hysteria

Would fill all Bavaria

For her latest motet or sinfonia.

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Getting Help 2

Music critic Charles Burney praised her opera and her singing in his 1773 work, The Present State of Music in Germany, the Netherlands and United Provinces. – Wikipedia

Though the duchess was suitably trained,

And it’s said that her stuff entertained,

One suspects that applause

Was augmented because

Of the down-to-earth fact that she reigned.

 

 

 

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