Louise Farrenc was a French composer, virtuoso pianist, and teacher. She was born into a thoroughly bohemian family in Paris and grew up surrounded by sculptors, painters, and artistic women. She studied piano from a young age, with her talents picked up and encouraged by the likes of Clementi and Hummel. After becoming interested in composing she applied for the prestigious Paris Conservatory, aged 15. After completing her studies, Farrenc started her career as a concert pianist, becoming quite famous in the 1830s. In 1842 she became the only woman to be appointed to the position of professor at the Paris Conservatory in the 19th century – the only such appointment for a woman for the entire 19th century. She stayed at the conservatory for 30 years, over which time she became one of the greatest piano professors in Europe. Despite not having the popular profile of her male composer counterparts, Louise Farrenc never gave up writing music. She penned orchestral symphonies and overtures. But it was her chamber music that made the biggest impact, and her two piano quintets were held in particularly high regard amongst the Parisian critics.