Elisa Sutherland - Reine des mouettes by Francis Poulenc

[MFMSMITH]

Perfect diction...complete understanding of the mood....amazingly sensitive accompaniment, not only supporting the singer with the exact dose of characterful presence required, but also noticing nuances in Francis' thinking, such as the very subtle existential change in the character of the muslin veil when cited the last time: the final syllable is rhymed to a micro pseudo-cadence (on the sub-dominant, preparing for the last dominant phrase, je m'en souviens) suggesting...un nouveau soulagement

[MFMSMITH]

Reine des mouettes mon orpheline je t'ai vu rose je m'en souviens sous les brumes mousellines voiles de ton deuil ancien...sous les brumes mousselines, voiles de nos liens...Rougez, rougez, mon baiser te devine..tu etais rose accordee a mes mains Queen of the Seagulls, my orphan, I noticed your blush beneath the muslin mourning veil of your widowhood, veiling our attachment which my kiss discovers as your hands shape themselves to my touch..I'll remember that. Glorious singing, brilliant accomp.