Fifty years after the death of Francis Poulenc, his music is now played, recorded and loved more than ever. Melody – the pairing of music and poetry – plays a key role in his work. In this book, singer Pierre Bernac describes how to interpret Poulenc’s melodies. The author was long associated with Francis Poulenc. The two of them formed a piano-vocal duo that gave hundreds of recitals throughout Europe and North America, for which Poulenc composed over a third of his 150 melodies. No one could be better qualified than Pierre Bernac to write a book like this, and readers can rest assured that the technical advice he offers and suggestions he shares about how to perform and interpret these works are in accordance with the composer’s wishes. The book also includes a complete biography of Poulenc, as well as a lightly sketched portrait – together, they afford readers an intimate glimpse into the life of an extraordinary personage.