Brunhilda and Kriemhilda

(My fabulous costume-and-dance friend Eowyn requested the description of a Walküre (Valkyrie) costume. This was the closest I could find for her -- Wagnerian characters in medieval gowns. I don't know the operas well enough to know whether the outfits would be particular to some specific scene.

(Niebelslungen Lied). Suitable for two sisters. They wear rich gold stuffs made in Burgundian fashion of the thirteenth century. Brunhilda would have under-dress of brocade, over-dress of gold tissue caught up at the side; low square bodice bordered with jewels, jewelled stomacher, silver girdle; sleeves puffed at elbow and shoulder; gold crown, hair in coil entwined with pearls. Kriemhilda: under-skirt of rich stuff, bordered with bands of gold; upper-dress of embroidered cloth-of-gold, bordered with ermine; low bodice much jewelled in front, long sleeves lined ith ermine, and bound with gold, tight sleeves to wrist; hair on shoulders, surmounted by a crown.

Source: Holt, Ardern.  Fancy Dresses Described, 5th Edition.  London: Debenham & Freebody, 1887.

Comments

[Thoroughbass]

Hi, S,

These are really from the Nibelungenlied itself, Wagner's source, rather than the operas. In the Ring, Kriemhild is 'Gutrune', and in the N'lied, Brünnhilde isn't exactly a valkyrie. At any rate, they have a Rival Queens sort of confrontation over Siegfried's bier (suitable for sisters? Yeesh!). Stage costumes are somewhat beside the point, but surely they inspired some fancy-dress, right? I think the Bayreuth costume designs are pretty widely available if E would like to look at those.

[Thoroughbass]

— Alastair

[Bellatrixed]

Thanks, Susan! This is basically what I had in my head. Now, to find some gold stuff.