Pardessus de viole

The pardessus first appeared in the early 18th century, and was commonly played by women, particularly in French-speaking countries.

[2] The pardessus was most popular in French-speaking countries,[4] but by 1770 it was starting to disappear from the landscape as viols generally were being eclipsed by the louder stringed instruments of the violin family.

Some years she may have been the only professional musician to play the pardessus de viole.

Dolmetsch also used her time to find lost music for the pardessus de viole in French libraries.

The music collection she curated included solo compositions by Jean-Baptiste Barrière, Thomas Marc and Caix d'Hervelois.