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Classical Music/Original Dichterliebe

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Expert: - 7/2/2007


Question
I have heard many opinions on the original voice part that Robert Schumann wrote his song cycle "Dichterliebe" for.  Some say that the original music was written for dramatic soprano, despite the fact that the lyrics are spoken by a male, but others claim that it was originally written for a tenor.  What is the real answer?

Answer
The ms does not say (only "Singstimme" = voice)!  

I have heard it performed only by a man, as the set was a quasi-gift to his wife Clara.

Schumann asked "for Easter" of one publisher for the publication date; and "for Christmas" from another, etc. to present to "my wife."

That it was for his wife implies a man, in my opinion.

Also, as the text ("The Poet['s] Songs") was taken from Heine, this add some weight to my supposition.   

As for tessitura, I suppose a tenor with a lower register could sing it (ditto bass with high enough range), but it is most often performed by a baritone.  As to a woman, I think it inappropriate given the context, but that doesn't mean it isn't done this way!
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I have a PhD in musicology, with expertise in medieval - Renaissance - Baroque - Classical periods, but I'll try to help you with any period.

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