Nuove acquisizioni su Francesca Campana, compositrice e «maestra nell’arte» musicale

Through the rereading of already known sources and newly found archival documents, the article aims to examine in depth the figure and career of the Roman singer, instrumentalist and composer Francesca Campana (c. 1607–1665), known in particular for her printed collection Cantate et arie a una, due, e tre voci (Roma, Robletti, 1629). In addition to clarifying some aspects of her life, the newly found documents allow us to reconsider her role as a music virtuosa in a broader scope. Furthermore, thanks to a hitherto unknown correspondence, it is possible to outline her activity as a music teacher, within a network of intense musical exchanges that goes beyond the borders of the pontifical city. In fact, in 1662 Francesca Campana was asked to teach a young Florentine girl musician, Angela Soci, on behalf of the Cardinal Giovan Carlo de’ Medici, who wanted to take her into service of the Medici court in Florence. The Roman virtuosa devotes several months to training the young pupil. From this perspective, the case of Francesca Campana appears very illuminating; indeed, it allows us to shed light on a broad social and professional network around music virtuose and on hitherto hidden aspects of the teacher-student relationship, on vocal and instrumental teaching practices, and, finally, to observe in parallel particular aspects of the mobility of musicians and the circulation of the repertoire.