大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores Sirmen鈥檚 early years and her education at one of Venice's famous orphanages.

Maddalena Sirmen was born in Venice in 1745 and christened Maddalena Laura Lombardini. Her poverty-stricken family were unable to support her and by the age of seven she was admitted to one of Venice鈥檚 鈥極spedali鈥�. The Ospedali were hospitals and orphanages set up to help the needy but also celebrated for the musical education they provided to their residents. Sirmen soon excelled in her training. By the age of fourteen she was accepted for additional music lessons in Padua with the famed violinist, Tartini, and became one of his favourite students. In 1767 she married fellow composer, Lodovico Sirmen, and was able to leave the Ospedale, at last. There followed many successful years of travelling and performing as a virtuoso violinist, often presenting her own works. Sirmen鈥檚 music was published in many leading European cities, and Leopold Mozart said of one of her works, that it was 鈥渂eautifully written鈥�. When visiting London for a third time, Sirmen decided to present herself as a singer, rather than a violinist. This proved to be a mistake and she was greatly criticised in the press. From this point onwards her reputation diminished despite further concerts, as a violinist, in Paris, Dresden and St Petersburg. Sirmen eventually settled back in Venice, where she died in 1818.

Today, Donald Macleod explores Maddalena Sirmen鈥檚 early life in Venice, including details of her family, and their application for Maddalena to enter the Ospedale dei Mendicanti. Maddalena was forced to leave her family behind, and a nun was assigned to be her mother figure. At the Ospedale, Sirmen was probably taught composition by the Music Director Ferdinando Bertoni. She also received lessons in Greek, Latin, French, grammar, poetry, logic and history, Sirmen would have taken part in the many liturgical services and concerts the girls performed in, including both singing and instrumental performance for which the Ospedale were famed.

Violin Concerto No 3 in A major, Op 3 No 3 (excerpt)
Stefano Montanari, violin
Arion Baroque Orchestra

Trio Sonata No 5 in G, Op 1 No 5 (Allegro Moderato)
The Vivaldi Project
Allison Nyquist, violin
Elizabeth Field, violin
Stephanie Vial, cello

Ferdinando Bertoni
Veni Creator (excerpt)
Choir of Radio Stockholm
I Solisti Veneti
Claudio Scimone, director

Maddalena Sirmen
Trio Sonata No 5 in G, Op 1 No 5 (Rondo Allegro)
The Vivaldi Project
Allison Nyquist, violin
Elizabeth Field, violin
Stephanie Vial, cello

Ferdinando Bertoni
Orfeo (excerpt)
Delores Ziegler (Orfeo),mezzo-soprano
Ambrosian Opera Chorus
I Solisti Veneti
Claudio Scimone, director

Maddalena Sirmen
String Quartet No 5 in F major
Lombardini Quartet

Violin Concerto No 3 in A major, Op 3 No 3
Stefano Montanari, violin
Arion Baroque Orchestra

Produced by Luke Whitlock