My Tango With Barbara Strozzi

As I was researching Barbara Strozzi at Bobst, I came across the title My Tango With Barbara Strozzi. It sounded intriguing so I thought I'd at least give it a look. As I started to read it I was surprised to find that it is a novel in which the protagonist is infatuated with Barbara Strozzi. The book, published in 2007, is proof (and hope) that Barbara Strozzi has impacted not only Western music, but also western society and culture. Here are some quotes I found particularly amusing.

“Not a beauty but she had a slightly sluttish look that was irresistible. Her eyes, so languorous, so not caring, so haunting after three centuries and more! She leans back in her chair, her blouse well off her shoulders, her bodice lowered to expose her breasts, her left hand grasping the neck of a viola da gamba. Barbara Strozzi! Dead for so many years but she reached out of the frame and clasped me to her opulent bosom.” (Hoban 4)

"'When I saw you I saw Barbara Strozzi in you. Her music brought me to the tango but seeing you took me back to her music, her cantate and lamentate.'
'You're a pretty weird guy, aren't you.'
'Yes you might as well know that from the start.'...
'I'll have to listen to her music some time,' she said.
'How about now?' I said.
'You came prepared'" (Hoban 26).