 |
celebrating three hundred years of music by women |
Pauline Viardot (1821-1910)
Berlioz described singer and composer Pauline Viardot as "one of the greatest artists ... in the past and present history of music." referring to her performance in his opera Le Prophète. Her musical and dramatic
gifts were greatly acclaimed. The García family were outstandingly musically; her sister La Malibran died young; although Pauline was not conventionally pretty, she had remarkable dramatic presence, and was much admired as a mezzo-soprano. The circle round her and her husband (theatre director) Louis Viardot was one of the most distinguished in Paris. She was the muse for many creative people, including the writer Ivan Tugenev; Robert Schumann's Liederkries, Op 24 (1840) and Saint-Saëns' Samson et Delila (1877) are dedicated to her. She sang the title role in Gounod's Sapho in 1851. In her 150 appearances as Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice (1859) many agreed that she reached tragic heights rarely seen on stage. In 1862 Charles Dickens called this "a most extraordinary performance - full of quite sublime acting."After her phenomenal singing career, she moved on to composing, issuing an Album in 1843. Naturally she wrote many songs; a talented linguist, she composed songs in French, Italian and Russian. Additionally she created four operettas (three to librettos by Turgenev, and others on her own libretto, such as Cendrillon, 1904), and a few instrumental works. Robert Schumann's Leiderkreis, Op 24 and Saint-Saëns' Samson et Delila (1877) are inscribed to her; she gave the first public performance of Brahms' Alto Rhapsody (1869). The heroine of Georges Sand's novel Consuelo (1842-1843; Gutenberg.org) was modelled on Pauline, reflecting the dedication she brought to her art. Later in life Pauline devoted herself to teaching; her Une heure d'étude de chant, Exercices pour voix de femmes was published by Heugel in 1880, intended principally for her Conservatoire students; now on Alfred Kalmus. Orlando Figes made Viardot central to his portrayal of The Europeans, (2019) as an example of public and private life in the nineteenth-century. BBC Radio 3 featured her on Composer of the Week in June 2021. Scores Hildegard.com (494-02591: Six morceaux); Durand; Alfred Kalmus; Breitkopf und Härtel EB8887. Recordings: Mélodies, Oustrac, Tillard. Alder, Middleton, Chandos Classics (999044-2; CHAN20222). Le dernier sorcier: Barton, Bridge Records 9515. Centauer CRC3947. Violin & piano works, Reto Kuppel, Wolfgang Manz, Naxos 8.573607. Spanish songs: Odradek Records ODRCD426. Deutsche Lieder, Alexandra, Schneider, Oehms Classics 1878. Prospero Classical PROSP0068. Russian songs: Ina Kancheva, Ludmil Angelov, Toccata Classics TOCC0303. Mélodies, Brilliant Classics 94615. Aparté 290, a tribute by Marina Viotti. Click on these works for more details:
Back to Contents Sonatine pour violon et piano, A minor, 1874 1. Adagio, A minor. 2. Allegro, A minor. 3. Allegro, A minor. 10 mins As a singer, she naturally shows lyrical qualities. This is a charming and equal duet, with a majestic yet flowing first movement, a scherzo-like second, and a coquettish finale, coloured by her gypsy background. The David Juritz / Diana Ambache recording can be bought on Ambache Recordings Liberté, Egalité, Sororité. Hildegard.com SKU: 494-02592. Writing: Beatrix Borchard, Pauline Viardot-García, ResearchGate, 2022. Music and Poetry in Dialogue: Pauline Viardot and Ivan Turgenev, ResearchGate September 2022. Pauline Viardot, Travelling Virtuosa, Hilary Poriss, ResearchGate May 2015. Three operettas by Pauline Viardot-García and the female musical genius of the nineteenth-century, Amy Kyle, 2021. The Musical Works of Pauline Viardot-García (1821-1910) A chronological catalogue, Nicholas Zekulin, 2013; Academia.edu. The Music Salon of Pauline Viardot, Rachel M Harris, 1989, M.M. Binghampton University. The Life and Work of Pauline Viardot García: The Years of Grace, Vol 2, 1863-1910, Barbara Kendall-Davies, Cambridge Scholars Lettres à Madame Viardot by Ivan Sergeevitch Turgenev French Back to Contents The Price of Genius, A Life of Pauline Viardot by April Fitzlyon Great singer though Pauline Viardot was, she was many other things as well - a highly intelligent woman, the centre of a distinguished circle, a disseminator of ideas, and the inspiration and friend of many great men and women, including George Sand, Chopin, Liszt, Gounod, Berlioz, and above all Turgenev. The book also documents the role she played in 19th century musical life, and her importance as a bridge between the artistic cultures of western Europe and Russia. While not specifically addressing her music, it gives a fascinating account of her life. Published by John Calder Ltd, 1964; 2024 on Overture Music Series.
|