The Countess of Dia : a feminine voice in Provence

For many years scholars have been studying the poems and music of the troubadours, the poet-composers of southern France. Interest in the women troubadours, or trobairitz, has risen over the last few years, coinciding with a rise in feminist musicology. The purpose of this study will be to compare the compositions of a trobairitz to those of a contemporary troubadour, and determine whether any feminine characteristics can be found in the music of the trobairitz. Furthermore, if there we can name a different set of characteristics for the trobairitz, then what do the troubadour and trobairitz have in common? In this study several topics will be outlined: (1) a brief history of Occitania, the rise of fin'amors, and the troubadour; (2) the trobairitz; (3) the poetry and music of the troubadour and trobairitz, Bernart de Ventadorn and Beatriz, Countess de Dia. Through a discussion of these topics I will attempt to uncover the Countess' feminine voice in music.