Louisa Lebeau,
Emilie Mayer, Mme. Farrenc, Comtesse de Grandval, Elfrida Andree, Edith
Chamberlayne, Mrs. Meadows-White, Aline Hundt, Oliveria Prescott, and in
our own country Mrs. Beach and Miss Lang; and the list is but a partial
one at that. The recent success of "Der Wald," to mention only one case,
proves that women may safely attempt the highest form of opera. This
work, although it has a drawback in the shape of a confused libretto, is
to be retained permanently on the Covent Garden repertoire in London. In
oratorio, a worthy place must be accorded to the works of Mme. Grandval,
Celanie Carissan, Mrs. Bartholomew, and Rosalind Ellicott. Among women
composers of successful masses may be reckoned Mrs. Beach, Mme.
Grandval, Mary Carmichael, and Maude Valerie White. In other directions
women have more than held their own, and their work shows excellence, in
quality as well as quantity, in cantatas, string quartettes, and other
chamber music, violin sonatas, and even in large concertos. The list of
women who have written piano music and songs extends to ample
proportions.

Who is the greatest woman composer? It is hard to say, for not all have
worked in the same direction. In our own country, Mrs. Beach holds the
foremost position at present, with Miss Lang a good second. In England,
Mrs. Meadows-White is assigned first place,[8] with Ethel Smyth
mentioned next in order. Agnes Zimmermann and Dora Bright receive high
praise for their chamber music, while Rosalind Ellicott, Amy E.
Horrocks, Edith Swepstone, and Ethel Boyce have been chosen to represent
the larger vocal forms. Among song composers are cited Maude Valerie
White, Florence Gilbert, Frances Allitsen, Florence Aylward, Liza
Lehmann, and Katharine Ramsay. Guy d'Hardelot is probably classed with
the French writers. Ethel Barns is included because of her excellent
violin compositions, as well as her admirable performance on that
instrument.

In Germany, the works of Louisa Lebeau would seem to place her in the
front rank, but many musicians consider them somewhat artificial. For
many years Clara Schumann has been cited as the leader among women, but
it is a question if she can hold that position now. Ingeborg von
Bronsart is given the very highest praise by those who know her work
best. In Italy, Eva dell' Aqua and Gilda Ruta seem leaders, while
Carlotta Ferrari must be included in the front rank. In older times,
too, Francesca Caccini must not be forgotten.