Mélodies (Selected)
Francis Poulenc
Régine Crespin
Selected songs, including Hôtel and another song from Banalités. 1967Top 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'.
Apple Music — Selected Poulenc songs, including Hôtel and Chanson d’Orkenise, within a French vocal collection.Pierre Bernac, Francis Poulenc
Tel jour telle nuit and selected Poulenc songs. 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
Le travail du peintre and other Poulenc songs and cycles. 1960sFrom 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.