The vast majority of theses in this collection are open access and freely available. There are a small number of theses that have access restricted to the WWU campus. For off-campus access to a thesis labeled "Campus Only Access," please log in here with your WWU universal ID, or talk to your librarian about requesting the restricted thesis through interlibrary loan.
Date of Award
Winter 2025
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Department or Program Affiliation
Department of Music
Degree Name
Master of Music (MMus)
Department
Music
First Advisor
Dudenbostel, Heather
Second Advisor
Youngblood, Felicia
Third Advisor
Hodges, Richard (Musician)
Abstract
The following program notes were written in preparation for a public recital held on December 7th, 2024. The recital was an exploration and celebration of the portrayal of female agency in Western classical vocal music, focusing on the lives and legacies of historic female figures. I chose to perform the characters of Agrippina, a Roman empress, mother of Jesus and Christian symbol Mary of Nazareth, the first five wives of King Henry VIII, and the French mathematician Emilie du Châtelet. I also speak on the composers of these works who brought these women to life and offered them the opportunity to be depicted in this way. I highlight the differences often apparent between how male composers and female composers interpret female characters and have offered a selection of pieces by both male and female composers that I believe feature female agency.
Type
Text
Keywords
Opera, agency, history, women, program, notes
Publisher
Western Washington University
OCLC Number
1506075101
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Agrippina, Minor, 15-59--Songs and music; Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Songs and music; Catherine, of Aragon, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1485-1536--Songs and music; Anne Boleyn, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1507-1536--Songs and music; Jane Seymour, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1509?-1537--Songs and music; Anne, of Cleves, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1515-1557--Songs and music; Catherine Howard, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, -1542--Songs and music; Du Châtelet, Gabrielle Emilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, marquise, 1706-1749--Songs and music
Subject – LCSH
Women in music; Music by women composers--History and criticism
Format
application/pdf
Genre/Form
masters theses
Language
English
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Recommended Citation
Nuckolls, Caitlin, "A Celebration of Historic Female Agency" (2025). WWU Graduate School Collection. 1350.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/1350
