Sacred Music: Quiet Revolution Behind Monastic Walls

Despite church prohibitions and conservative resistance, nuns of the 17th century could not be silenced: With the support of noble families, they performed and composed music at the highest level – often behind monastery walls, yet with a noticeable impact on the outside world. Sacred motets and secular madrigals merged into passionate music full of expression and emotion. Composers like Isabella Leonarda published works under their own names, taught music, and shaped the cultural life of their time. Their monasteries became musical centers, and their voices attracted audiences. It was a quiet yet powerful revolution – a testament to female creativity and resilience in a male-dominated world.