Description
Detailing the understanding and performance of the French mélodie, famous French baritone Pierre Bernac provides insight in this book for singers, accompanists, and concert-goers. Teamed with composer Francis Poulenc for more than 25 years, Bernac and Poulenc became a legend and one of the first duos to be recognized as equals within the music arena. Texts and performance guidance for over 200 songs from 18 different composers are given in French with line-for-line translations in English. This comprehensive approach to the French repertoire also includes tips on pronunciation, performance, and interpretation.
About the Author
Pierre Bernac was a French baritone and a famous interpreter of the French mélodie. He had a close artistic association with Francis Poulenc, with whom he performed in France and abroad. Poulenc wrote 90 songs especially for him during their 25-year musical partnership. Bernac was well known as a teacher and among the singers who studied with him were Elly Ameling, Grace Bumbry, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Carol Neblett, Jessye Norman and Gérard Souzay. He gave masterclasses in France, Britain and the US.
Contents
Foreword
1. Performance and Interpretation of Vocal Music
2. On Singing French
3. The Interpretation of French Mélodies
4. Berlioz and Gounod
5. Franck, Lalo, Saint-Saëns, Delibes, Bizet and Massenet
6. Duparc
7. Chabrier
8. Chausson
9. Fauré
10. Debussy
11. Satie and Caplet
12. Roussel
13. Ravel
14. Poulenc
15. Other Composers
Index of Titles
Index of First Lines
Index of Composers
Reviews
No voice teacher, no coach, no accompanist, no singer, and for that matter, no music-lover should be without this publication . . . from a man whose knowledge of this repertoire is so complete and profound as to make his treatment of it definitive and without equal.
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