Magda Tagliaferro: the criticisms of the French music press and gender issues

Abstract

This article examines the publications of French music criticism regarding the performances of Brazilian pianist Magdalena Tagliaferro between 1910 and 1938, focusing on the intersections between gender and music criticism. Through the analysis of sources from the French press, available on the platform www.retronews.fr, I investigate how Tagliaferro’s image was frequently sexualized, and how her physical appearance and feminine demeanor were often emphasized over her musical skills. The music criticism of the time, dominated by men, tended to frame female musicians in a "separate but not equal" category, employing cultural gender stereotypes. To navigate this context, Tagliaferro adopted strategies that emphasized her femininity and adhered to the aesthetic standards of the time, though this also placed her within certain limits. This article contributes to the understanding of the historical barriers faced by women in classical music, highlighting how criticism shaped the perception and career of female musicians.