Chiara Margarita Cozzolani
Born: 1602
Died: c.1677
BIOGRAPHY MUSIC RECORDINGS SOURCES
Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, born the youngest child of a wealthy merchant family, followed in the footsteps of many of her relatives by becoming a nun. She joined the Benedictine monastery of Santa Radegonda in Milan, Italy at age 18. Her musical education likely consisted of singing in one of two choirs that regularly performed for family and occasional dignitaries such as the Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici in 1664. She may also have served as the choirmaster.
Cozzolani was a talented singer and composer. Her first published work, Primavera dei fiori musicali (Springtime of Musical Blossoms), dedicated to Archbishop Monti, was lost during World War II along with some of her secular cantatas. Her 1642 composition, Concerti sacri, dedicated to Mathias de’ Medici, included motets for two to four voices using new techniques in the Lombardian style including the use of refrains in solo motets and duet and quartet concerti. Her final published volume, written in 1650, included large scale Vespers with mixed solo and duet writing plus two choir antiphons accompanied by violins and organ. The same publication featured Psalms, motets and a nativity piece dedicated to the Virgin Mary for eight voices, including parts for men, revealing the beginning of more sophisticated and inclusive spiritual and musical relationships.
Cozzolani composed less frequently for the remainder of her life when she undertook more monastery duties, serving as Prioress in 1664 and 1671 and Abbess from 1658 to 1660 and again in 1672. Because her published music circulated in Germany and France, she was able to establish her legacy as a composer of note beyond her years in the convent.