Mélodies (Selected)

Francis Poulenc

Régine Crespin

1967

Top choice for a first introduction. Features a few songs (e.g., from 'Banalités') coupled with her Berlioz/Debussy disc. Crespin 'just sounds really into the character,' with a sultry, dry tone. 'You can almost smell the cigarettes' in 'Hôtel'.

Pierre Bernac, Francis Poulenc

1940s-1950s Mono recordings.

An essential recommendation. Bernac was a friend of Poulenc and is accompanied by the composer, 'so it's from the horse's mouth.' Bernac is a soulful singer, and they do a great job depicting the dreamy atmosphere of works like 'Tel jour, tel nuit'.

Gérard Souzay, Dalton Baldwin

1960s

From the comprehensive Phillips set. Includes several cycles, like 'Le travail du peintre.' Souzay 'just brings that consummate artistry, the beautiful tone, the attention to text for which he's known.' You can't go wrong.