Souhait

Souhait (FR) Wish. Debussy's setting (1881) for voice and piano of the fifth poem by Banville from Les Cariatides, Les Stalactites (Cariatids, Stalactites, 1843 / 46). The poem was written in April 1845. The song was composed in Florence, Italy, during one of Debussy's trips with Madame von Meck (1831 – 1894), Tchaikovsky's (1840 – 1893) benefactress, for whom Debussy served as house pianist. The original poem has no title. Debussy changes the last line from »Se becqueter longtemps d'amoureuses…