Princess Friederike Sophie Wilhelmine (1709 – 1758)
Princess Friederike Sophie Wilhelmine of Prussia was born in Berlin to Frederick William I, who became King of Prussia in 1713. Wilhelmine was the older sister of Frederick II, who as King of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786 became known as Frederick the Great.
Princess Wilhelmine was coerced into marriage to Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. Together they extensively redesigned Bayreuth with much new architecture, including a new opera house and new theater, fashioning it into one of the cultural centers of Europe. She met and corresponded with several intellectuals of the era, including Voltaire.
Wilhelmine and her husband shared a love of music, and Wilhelmine is known to have composed several works including an opera. Most of her music has regrettably been lost, and her authorship of this delightful Harpsichord Concerto in G minor has recently been challenged. (See the comments on the video for more information.)