Barbara Strozzi defied the constraints of the times in which she lived. Born just over 400 years ago, gifted as a singer and composer, she was one of a very few women during the baroque period to publish her own musical compositions. She became one of the most prolific composers of the 17th century, male or female.

The Kansas City Baroque Consortium, which specializes in the performance of early music on period pieces, celebrates the work of Strozzi and three other female composers of the era in a special presentation melding live music and brief lectures. Alison DeSimone, an assistant professor of musicology at UMKC, provides the commentary.

The program also features a newly commissioned piece from composer and University of Kansas assistant professor Ingrid Stölzel. Soprano Victoria Botero is guest soloist.