Fifteenth year : Francis Poulenc and three composers in Touraine

The Academy will take place from August 16th to 26th, 2011.

2011 will be our fifteenth year of existence. What work has been achieved since 1997! Now we can say, as many former students do, that the Francis Poulenc Academy is a reference for all who want to learn, deepen and enjoy expertise on French Art song. If in 2010, for the first time the Academy was given over to a poet, the only one who is buried near Tours : Ronsard, in 2011, under the protection of the Maestro of Noizay (providing Francis Poulenc permits this rather daring appellation, for the real native Parisian that he was), we will continue to explore the historical patrimony and well-scented trails of French art song, by associating to him three composers who have also had elected Touraine for their work:

First of all, one, about whom Poulenc ensured a colourful hommage-biography, published in 1961 by « La Palatine » in Geneva: Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894), who resided at La Membrolle-sur-Choisille where he spent several months each year from 1884 on to his death. Chabrier, whom certain colleagues named « angel of the comic », composed a limited but intriguing number of songs, some subtly sarcastic and some very funny, but others deeply sensual.

Along him, the only native of the region, being born in Vouvray precisely, Charles Bordes (1863-1909) who, besides carrying the monumental task of rehabilitating ancient religious and profane choral repertory, as well as being a founder (with Alexandre Guilmant and Vincent d'Indy) of the famed Schola Cantorum in Paris, composed superb songs of which an important number on verses of the unavoidable poet, master of the French language, Paul Verlaine. This will be a discovery for many.

Finally, and for the second time in less than 5 years (we celebrated his 90th birthday with him), the eternally young Henri Dutilleux (born in 1916 at Angers). He has a house in Candes-Saint-Martin where his compositions flourish in calm and serenity. His songs are scarse, but of high quality, and alas not performed enough !

We are continuing our collaboration with the Studio Cinemas Theater, by proposing the projection of « Madame de... », a magnificent film by Max Ophuls starring Danielle Darrieux, Charles Boyer, and Vittorio De Sica, after the famous novel by Louise de Vilmorin. « Loulou » was a great friend of Poulenc; and we will explore the collaboration between the two artists with Poulenc's beautiful songs inspired by Vilmorin's poems, making of her the poetic sparring-partner of this years Academy.
We are also trying to put up the first world premiere professional recording of Charles Bordes' complete Songs following the work on his repertoire during the summer session... And many more things !


Long live art song, and long live the Francis Poulenc Academy, recognized everywhere as the showcase of the International Centre for French Song!



Concerning the workshop itself : Each participant is to prepare in advance:

- a cycle of at least 3 songs by Poulenc *
- at least three songs by Emmanuel Chabrier
- at least three songs by Charles Bordes
- at least three songs by Henri Dutilleux

* Concerning Poulenc’s Songs, this session will focus mainly on those on poems by Louise de Vilmorin. There are four cycles: "Fiançailles pour rire" F.P. 101 (6 songs for soprano), "Métamorphoses" F.P. 121 (3 songs for medium voice), "Trois poèmes de Louise de Vilmorin" F.P. 91(3 songs for soprano), and one separate song, "Mazurka" F.P. 145 (for man deep voice).

To make a choice, the site's encyclopaedia is available. The Academy may provide copies of out-of-print songs.

The concerts (see Agenda) : The first will take place the 16th of August, with pianist Jeff Cohen and François Le Roux.

The August 22nd & 26th programs will be decided as soon as we know the tessituras of the "stagiaires", and the available instrumentalists.

For the classes, the team remains unchanged and fully dedicated to its mission of thorough, complete study of French song. "Ever further" -with a large and loyal public, with students from the four corners of the world- such is our motto, in order to attain the land where "There is only order, beauty, luxury, tranquillity, sensuous delight" (Baudelaire).

No nostalgia, therefore, but mature energy in order that French song live long, in 2011, as well as in the years to come!

Long live French Song, and good luck to the fifteenth Académie Francis Poulenc!