# A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Pizzoli, Maria Luigia

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PIZZOLI, MARIA LUIGIA,
Was born at Bologna, in 1817, the only offspring of Luigi Pizzoli, a gentleman of that city. Her parents perceiving early indications of uncommon abilities, gave her every means of instruction within their reach; these she improved to such advantage that she soon became quite noted for the extent of her information, and the variety of her accomplishments. The most learned men in the society she frequented, would appeal to her in any "historic doubts," and so ​clear was her knowledge on such points, and so accurate her memory in dates, that she never was at fault in deciding the question. But far from assuming any unseemly arrogance, her manners were distinguished by an amiable simplicity. Her predominant passion was music; her father gave her as a master Pilotti, an excellent professor of counterpoint; he was, in a short time, so struck with the talents of his scholar, that drawing her father aside, "Sir," said he, "your daughter is a genius; the love I bear to my art makes me entreat you to allow me to instruct her in counterpoint; her success is infallible." This business undertaken, Luigia applied herself with the tenacity that is inspired by the passionate love of the science. As a pianist she soon ranked among the first; but a much higher praise awaited her as a composer. In 1836 the newspaper of Bologna published the following paragraph:—
"The very beautiful symphony written by the young amateur Luigia Pizzoli, was executed by our orchestra, and received most favourably. It is calculated to please all persons of taste, for combined with much learning, and studied elaborations, we find that gracious melody the Italian ear demands."
Soon after this she was invited by the musical academy of Bologna, to accompany the greatest harpist of Italy at a musical festival. She made her first appearance, not only as a performer, but as a composer; for besides accompanying the harp in a most admirable manner, she played a sonata for four hands, composed by herself; the well-known Corticelli took the bass. The following day the papers abounded with panegyrics on this young lady. In the midst of her rising fame, consumption, with which she had once been threatened, came to tear this beloved and charming girl from the arms of her parents. Her last illness presented a model of Christian piety and resignation, together with the utmost cheerfulness, and tender efforts to soften the blow to her wretched father and mother. In her dying state, she was still an artist; her last wishes and acts were to encourage and improve the art she so loved. She obtained from her father permission to endow a perpetual foundation for a yearly prize, to be given by the Philharmonic Society of Bologna, to any of the young students, not excluding women, who shall produce the best fugue; the decision to rest with the presiding professors of counterpoint.
Three days after, the 19th. of January, 1838, Luigia expired. The number of her works, in so short a period, is a reproach to those who live long, and accomplish nothing. An edition of these was printed at Milan, in 1840. After her death, her symphony was executed by the professors of that city.