L'Absent

L'Absent (FR) The Absent One. Fauré's setting (1871, Op. 5 #3) for voice and piano of the 11th poem from Livre III of Les Châtiments, »La Famille Restaurée« (Punishments – Book III, »The Family Restored,« 1853) by Hugo. The poem was written on 1 August 1853 on the isle of Jersey, in the English Channel, where Hugo exiled himself over his dismay at political events in France. The publisher added the song title. Fauré detested song titles, but they were considered good for sales. The original…