For Francesca Caccini, music was a significant part of her life from before her birth. Her father, Giulio Caccini, was a well-known composer, while her mother, Lucia Gagnolanti, was a singer. Francesca's education included music theory, composition and literature, and she was known as a poet and a singer. She made her debut at a very young age, singing in her father's opera Euridice in new singing styles of the seconda prattica, and quickly became a respected professional musician. Florence, where Francesca lived, had a history of forward-thinking, and the Medici court provided many opportunities for women in music. Francesca was the first woman to compose opera, and her surviving works showcase her substantial talent. Francesca Caccini is known as one of the most prolific female composers of her era.
