Epitaphe

Epitaphe (FR) Epitaph. Poulenc's setting (1930) for voice and piano of poem LXI (CA 1613, published 1627) by Malherbe. The poem was perhaps written for M. Etienne Puget in memory of his newly deceased wife Anne Hallé, as its untitled six lines follow an epitaph for her. Poulenc was thinking of »Louis XIII [1601 – 1643] style architecture« when he composed the setting, to be sung »without emphases, because that's what Raymonde Linossier hated most.« The song is dedicated »to the memory of…