Belle Époque

The turn of the twentieth century opened up a whole new world of possibilities for French women composers, culminating in Lili Boulanger’s victory in the Prix de Rome competition for musical composition (1913). But this figurehead and this symbolic recognition concealed many other female composers who took an active part in Parisian musical life, flouting the indifference of the newspapers and the concert programmers. Whether in a Conservatoire classroom, in the intimate atmosphere of a salon or protected by a surname that did not reveal their gender, these creative women produced an abundant output: the repertory for cello and piano proves that they set their sights high and achieved their ambitions.