Droste received early instruction in piano and later in singing. In 1821 she was given a composition manual, Einige Erklärungen über den General-Baß, written by her uncle Maximilian-Friedrich von Droste zu Hülshoff (a friend of Joseph Haydn) and announced her intention to learn it by heart. Seventy-four Lieder by Droste survive as well as fragments and sketches of 4 unrealized operas.
