The Melodie of Jules Massenet: Settings of Female Poets

Abstract

Within a collection of over 146 mélodies, Massenet explores form, style, various types of poetry, compositional techniques, tendencies derived from music history, all while infusing them with his own musical nuances. His mélodies range from chant and simple strophic ballads to complex, through-composed works that sometimes hint towards the music of later generations. Admiration for the techniques of other composers appears in Massenet’s oeuvre, ranging from chant-like and simple folk melodies through pieces that show impressionistic and post-romantic styles. Massenet’s choice to set a variety of poets, including well-known, lesser-known, and female poets (unusual at the time) reflects the linguistic and educational changes in Parisian society as well as the function of female poets within the greater scheme of nineteenth-century French poetry. Massenet’s sensitivity to lyrical writing for the voice and the ability to translate orchestral functions and operatic tendencies into the mélodies through the accompaniment and dynamic markings have pedagogical implications for all levels of performers.