Books by Anna Beer

A major historical biography: the dramatic, harrowing and contested story of Sir Walter Ralegh

Francesca Caccini. Barbara Strozzi. lisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Marianna Martines. Fanny Hensel. Clara Schumann. Lili Boulanger. Elizabeth Maconchy.Great composers all, but their musical legacy is still rarely acknowledged.Since the birth of classical music, those women who dared to compose have been patronised, had their sex lives scrutinised and the veracity of their authorship questioned. They worked within a musical culture where beliefs about what women could and could not do determined their every move. Yet, time and again there emerged individuals who would evade, confront and ignore the rules that sought to exclude them from the world of composition.Taking the reader on a journey from seventeenth-century Medici Florence to London in the Blitz, and beyond, Anna Beer reveals the hidden histories of eight remarkable women, explores the special communities that enabled them to compose their music, and asks tough questions about why we still dont hear their masterpieces performed.A long-overdue celebration of neglected virtuosos, Sounds and Sweet Airs presents a complex and inspirational picture of artistic endeavour and achievement that deserves to be part of our cultural heritage.

This guide is ideal for use in the classroom or for revision, providing insight into characterisation, contexts and critical views, along with activities that prompt a closer analysis of the writer's language and techniques. UK schools save 40% off the RRP! Discount will be automatically applied when you order on your school account.

One of a series designed to provide an accessible approach to the works of great poets and playwrights. Each title includes general notes on the text; discussion of themes, issues and contexts.