Madame Brillon (1744 - 1824)

Although Madame Brillon's talents earned her wide respect among professional musicians, she did not enjoy a grand career before the public. A French harpsichordist, composer and pianist, she established a friendship and correspondence with Benjamin Franklin that led directly to the composition of her Marche des Insurgents, written in celebration of the American victory at Saratoga, New York on October 9, 1777.