Elise Christiani

Lisa Barbier Cristiani (December 4, 1825 – October 14, 1853), also known as Lise Cristiani or Elise Cristiani, was a French cellist and performer known for being one of the earliest recorded instances of a woman becoming a professional in the field.

Childhood Born in Paris, it is believed that Cristiani was of Italian descent, though little more is known of her early years. She did eventually become a cello apprentice to Edouard Benazet and had her concert debut on February 14, 1845 at the Salle des Concerts Herz.

Professional life Cristiani was one of the earliest professional female musical performers of her era and began playing numerous concerts in her late teenage years. The early tours she conducted included stops at Vienna, Linz, Ratisbon, Baden-Baden, and Hamburg. The last in Hamburg resulted in such a popular fervor for her that her portrait (shown above) became a highly sought after item.

Death Not long after, in the fall of 1853, she began a new trek across the Siberian wilderness to the Kamchatka Peninsula for another tour in the region, being the first European to give public concerts in the remote cities of the North Asian continent.

Influence on cello design and use Because of how the cello is played, with the large frame between one's legs, the women's fashion of the era of dresses made playing the instrument directly impossible. The alternative, having the frame in a side saddle position, makes playing difficult. So it was not until the development of the endpin to lift the frame off the floor that play by women became more common. It has been claimed in various publications that Cristiani may have been a primary early popularizer of the endpin and led to its increased use in Europe and the rise of a new wave of female cellists in the decades after her death.

Cristiani was also well known for the uniqueness of her cello, a 1700 Stradivarius with her name carved into the side. Due to this engraving, the instrument eventually became known as the "Cristiani", along with a general style of Stradivari cello inheriting the name. After her death, the cello that she played was obtained by Hugo Becker. before being moved to the Museo del Violino of Cremona.

Documentary

Sol Gabetta and Lise Christiani, Virtuoso Cellists and Intrepid Travellers (2024) directed by Simone Jung, Arte.