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Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759–1824)

Maria Theresia von Paradis was born into a family closely connected with the Austrian court: this association brought her into contact with high-ranking musicians throughout her life, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Antonio Salieri, from whom she received Composition lessons. A virtuoso pianist and organist and skilled singer, her musical potential might have been hampered by her loss of sight in early childhood, were it not for the determination of her mother and the financial support of Empress Maria Theresia (after whom von Paradis was named). A composer from early adulthood, she wrote operas, cantatas, songs and works for piano, using a compositional aid devised by her librettist, Johann Riedinger, to enable her to notate her works more easily. In later life she dedicated herself to her own private music school where she taught singing and piano, with the express intention of improving educational opportunities for girls and women.

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