Marianne Martínez was an Austrian born composer of Spanish descent and was one of several women who were active as composers and performers during the eighteenth century. She studied piano and composition with Nicola Porpora and Haydn. Martínez impressed the court when she was a child, with her beautiful voice and her proficiency at the keyboard. In 1773 she became an honorary member of the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna. Martínez held weekly musical parties which were attended by some of the most respected performers of the day, including Mozart who performed four-hand keyboard music with her.

As a composer she showed a thorough understanding of counterpoint and fugue, as well as great skill in setting words to music in the Baroque style. The oeuvre of Marianne Martínez includes more than 200 works, including keyboard sonatas and concerti, a symphony, and various choral and liturgical works.