Beatriz de Dia was a French troubairitz in the early 12th century. While she is thought to have been a prolific composer, sadly only five of her works survive today, including four chansons and one tenson. Her song A chantar m’er de so qu’eu no volria is the only chanson by a troubairitz to survive with its music intact. A copy was found in a collection of songs copied around 1270 for Charles of Anjou in Le manuscript di roi.
Although Beatriz was married to William of Poitiers, she was in love with and often sang about Raimbaut of Orange. In her songs the typical subject matter of her lyrics includes optimism, the praise of herself and her love, as well as bitter betrayal. During this time chivalry and courtly love were also common ideals.
The library has access to several recordings of hers, which include Comtessa de Dia through Naxos, as well as Alexander Street Press and others.
The book Medieval Woman's Song: Cross-Cultural Approaches discusses the lyrics of Beatriz’s music for their importance of looking into the Medieval female perspective actually through a woman’s work instead of through a man’s idea of what a woman’s perspective was. This allows modern scholars to discuss Medieval femininity in a new way with a new look into the role and place for women in Medieval music. Chapter eight of the book is especially informative.
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