Graham Johnson, Felicity Lott & Thomas Oliemans

Poulenc himself wanted to be remembered as a song composer. At deSingel we will do everything we can to fulfil his wish. Also this season, the great song specialist Graham Johnson once again opens his song encyclopaedia, now at the letter ‘P’ for Poulenc. In chronological order, he guides us through Poulenc’s rich oeuvre of 150 songs. In Part 2, Johnson focuses on the songs composed between 1940 and 1963.

Johnson also had lessons from the great singer Pierre Bernac, with whom Poulenc created the majority of his songs. From him he learned that Poulenc’s music should be performed within the limits of classical style. Most importantly, do not exaggerate with rubati or other effects. If you do it soon becomes flat and sentimental. With Poulenc it is all about the art of suggestion.