A Stylistic Examination of Shakespeare’s Texts Set for Solo Voice by Amy Beach, Elizabeth Maconchy and Madeleine Dring

This dissertation will focus on three female composers whose careers span from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. The author will conduct a detailed research on each composer’s cultural, socio-economic and musical background in order to obtain a true and precise understanding, and appreciation of their musical language and style. In turn, an examination will be carried out on each composer’s musical setting and interpretation of Shakespeare’s selected texts. Particular attention will be given to the musical settings of the text Take, O Take Those Lips Away, which is common to the three composers. Drawing on the findings of the research, the author will determine whether or not the three composers’ unrelated backgrounds and musical education led to any similar interpretations of Shakespeare’s texts