Documents

The creative appropriation of Mathilde Wesendonck's voice by Wagner when he published Fünf Gedichte für eine Frauenstimme WWV91 without reference to her poetic contributions provided inspiration for a research project which explores whether the cycle should only be sung by women. Notions of gender and voice are explored, discussing whether Wagner intended his cycle to be the representation of his ideal woman and whether this way of understanding the cycle enables creative exploration and insight.