Louise Reichardt (1779 - 1826)

Daughter of Juliane Benda Reichardt, Louise Reichardt knew many of the philosophers, poets, and literary figures of the German Romantic era. She supported herself in Hamburg as s a singing teacher, composer, and director of a women's chorus. In addition to producing Handel oratorios, she translated texts and prepared the choruses for performance conducted by her male colleagues. Her over 90 songs and choruses, on both sacred and secular themes, remained popular through the 19th century.