Biography
Her first piece was published at age 20, and the titles on her subsequent pieces indicate her rising in the ranks of the convent to madre vicaria; she considered herself a mother and a clerk for her congregation. As the convent was founded to educate girls, she likely was also a teacher, though specific records of this have been lost.
Isabella is renowned for being the most prolific of all nun composers, publishing more than 200 pieces. She wrote for all genres of sacred music, for all voices and instruments, not only soprano and alto as many nun composers did. Her works are known for their intense dramatic style, both in music and in text.
Her impact on music and composition of sacred music is unarguably important; copies of her compositions were kept throughout Europe, and one of her masses may have been studied by Beethoven. Even after her death, her music received praise and those who possessed copies thought very highly of them. Isabella's renown was unique for a female composer at this time, and likely important to the progression of composition on the whole.1 4