Stella Musica Highlights Women’s Musical Achievements

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Not so long ago, if it was suggested that a woman could never create a masterpiece or play Beethoven’s Hammerklavier sonata, no eyebrows would be raised. Clara Schumann (1819-1896) stopped composing at 36, having succumbed to such claims. She said: “I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea. A woman must not desire to compose—there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?”

Things are changing, as evidenced by recent concerts featuring Clara Schumann as well as the performance of works by Florence Price (1887-1953), a composer who left a legacy of more than 300 works.

“While progress has been made, there is still a need for greater representation which remains significantly low today—about 12 per cent based on an analysis of 51 orchestras in the U.S. and Canada,” says Katarzyna Musial, the artistic director of the Stella Musica Festival, now in its eighth edition. “This disparity also extends to contemporary genres such as popular music, rock, jazz, and electronic music.”

Furthermore, a U.K. study conducted by the Donne Foundation found that among the music played by 100 international orchestras, only five per cent was composed by women and just over one per cent was composed by Black and Asian women.

“Since its beginning, the festival has aimed to raise awareness about social issues and give space to various musical cultures,” Musial said.

On May 31, an intimate concert will be followed by a roundtable discussion with the theme “Building Bridges Between Indigenous Artists and Non-Indigenous Audiences.” Pianist and composer Beverley McKiver, an Anishinabe woman whose ancestral home is Lac Seul First Nation, will perform part of her Canadian Floral Emblems suite, a set of piano pieces inspired by the floral emblems of the 10 provinces and three territories in Canada. In addition, Innu soprano Élisabeth St-Gelais, accompanied by pianist Louise Pelletier, will perform an aria from the opera Kikzootadwak by Indigenous composer Barbara Assiginaak.

The Grand Concert on June 2 will feature Tarniriik, a duo of young throat singers. Oktopus, an ensemble formed of eight musicians combining various musical styles, will present several pieces, including works by Ilse Weber (1903-1944), who wrote songs and stories for children. Her short life, along with that of her young son, ended in Auschwitz.

Fuego Flamenco, consisting of three musicians, including virtuoso pianist and flamenco dancer Musial, will perform works by Spanish, Cuban, Venezuelan and Brazilian composers, enriched with vibrant flamenco dance elements.

Festival Stella Musica will be held at Kin Experience (397A Ste-Catherine St. West) and Théâtre Le Gesú (1200 de Bleury St.) from Wednesday, May 31, to Friday, June 2.

www.stellamusica.org