ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some musical performances by women, and discusses the key social and moral dynamics that regulated and enabled women's participation at various levels of the performative continuum. It examines established and emergent categories of lyrical subject matter found in popular songs of the late eighteenth century, and suggests material and social reasons for their prevalence. The chapter provides introduction to appropriate female decorum along the performative continnuum, to testo and to the categories of lyrics as performative controls. It examines how rehearsal, performance, lyrics, and testo interact in particular examples selected from each of the chief categories of song. The chapter traces the defining characteristics of each musical category that was perceived to be constitutive of social harmony and analyzes examples of women's contributions and resistance to the categories. Music festivals and occasional performances, such as the annual St. Cecilia's Day celebrations, were also important occasions for female performers.
