Francesca Caccini
Francesca Caccini (; 18 September 1587 – between 1641 and 1645 most likely; or she may have remarried.) was an Italian composer, singer,
lutenist, poet, and music teacher of the early
Baroque era. She was also known by the nickname "La Cecchina" , given to her by the
Florentines and probably a diminutive of "Francesca". She was the daughter of
Giulio Caccini. Her only surviving stage work, ''
La liberazione di Ruggiero'', is widely considered the oldest opera by a woman composer. As a female composer she helped to solidify the agency and the cultural and political programs of her female patron.
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