Élisabeth de Haulteterre facts for kids

Élisabeth de Haulteterre (born around 1720, active until after 1768) was a talented French composer and violinist. Even though her last name sounds like the famous Hotteterre family of musicians, she wasn't related to them. Élisabeth was known for her amazing violin playing. In 1737, she performed sonatas by Jean-Marie Leclair at a famous concert series called Le Concert Spirituel. After she got married, her name became Levésque.

Women in Early French Music

In the early 1700s, many women in Paris who studied music often focused on opera. Ballet and opera were becoming very popular at this time. The music of the Baroque era, with its rich and complex sounds, also attracted many supporters.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, more and more public music events were happening that weren't connected to the church. This gave women new chances to perform. Women started appearing in public concerts, sometimes even filling in for men on instruments like the organ or harpsichord, especially if they came from important families. Most women musicians were pianists, singers, harpists, organists, or harpsichord players. It was very unusual for a woman composer like Élisabeth de Haulteterre to perform the violin in public.

Playing at Le Concert Spirituel

Le Concert Spirituel was the most important concert series in 18th-century Paris. It was started in 1725 by Anne Danican Philidor. These concerts featured instrumental and choral music and took place at the Salle de Swisses in the Tuileries Palace. They were held during Lent and on other religious holidays when the opera houses were closed.

Women were allowed to perform as solo singers and solo instrumentalists at Le Concert Spirituel. This gave Élisabeth de Haulteterre a chance to compose, perform, and share her music. She was one of the few ambitious women to play the violin professionally. In fact, she was the most well-known female violinist during the first half of the 1700s at these concerts. People said she played "with all imaginable intelligence, vivacity, and precision."

Marriage to Pierre Charles Levesque

Élisabeth de Haulteterre married Pierre Charles Levesque, who was a painter in 18th-century France. He is famous for his classic painting History of Russia. This painting helped shape how people in Western countries viewed Russia. Some people think that Élisabeth de Haulteterre might have published some of her music using her husband's last name, but this has not been confirmed.

Musical Works

Sadly, many of Élisabeth de Haulteterre's concertos and sonatas for violin have been lost over time. Some of her known works include:

• Requil de chansons for harpsichord
• Deuxieme recueil d'airs choisis, with accompaniments for the harp
• Premier livre de sonates for violin and continuo, 1740