Feminism and historiography: Toward a (re)visioning of Jenny Lind

Jenny Lind’s name has become synonymous with Victorian virtue and charitable giving. This dissertation seeks to complicate her narrative by: (re)covering lesser-known instances of women writing about Lind; (re)visioning friendships that Lind maintained throughout her life, especially with women; and (re)considering many “foundational” sources to Lind historiography. I pay particular attention to Fredrika Bremer, who was present at significant points in Lind’s life and demonstrate the issues with Goldschmidt’s involvement in Lind’s “official biography.” To accomplish these tasks, I employ a queer theory lens with a feminist bent based on the work of Judith Butler, Kathy Rudy, and Katherine Kearns. This dissertation serves to disrupt the normative view of prima donna scholarship and open discussion around feminism in operatic history.

Name thesis:degree_name

A.Mus.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Bostwick, Timothy Kristian

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bashford, Christina
• Siena, Jerold
• Magee, Gayle S
• Redman, Yvonne

• Prima Donna
• Jenny Lind
• Queer Theory
• Opera
• Barnum
• Goldschmidt
• Mendelssohn
• Bremer

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Timothy Bostwick

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122109

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F122109