Pol Plançon, Massenet: "Si tu veux, Mignonne" (rec. 1905)

The great French Basse Chantante and one of the giants of the "Golden Age of Opera", Pol Plançon (1851-1914) in the melodie "Si tu veux, Mignonne" by Massenet. The recording was made in February 1905 for Victor Talking Machine & Co..

Plançon was described by noted critic W. J. Henderson as 'one of the greatest masters of vocal technique that ever trod the stage'. Renowned for the drama and power of his voice, Plançon has an ease and fluidity of delivery which remains unrivalled. His interpretation of Méphistophélès in Gounod's Faust was legendary; he sang over 100 times during his 10 seasons at the Paris Opéra. Plançon was also a member of New York's Metropolitan Opera where he remained until his retirement in 1908.

For more substantial biographical notes, please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Plan%C3%A7on

The English translation of the sung text (originally by [Claude] Georges Boyer, Abbé, 1618-1698), comes from Hyperion Records:

If you would like, Mignonne, in the spring,
we shall see the hawthorn flower
which sows in the fresh meadows
the snow from its fine head;
if you like, Mignonne, in the spring,
we shall see the hawthorn flower!

If you like, when the summer comes,
we shall listen among the branches
to the gay love songs
of the little white doves;
if you like, when the summer comes,
we shall listen among the branches!

We shall walk in the yellowing woods,
if you like, when autumn comes,
so that they may be warm in their nests
we shall take them strands of anemones;
if you like, Mignonne,
we shall walk in the yellowing woods,
when the autumn comes...

And then, when the winter comes again...
we shall remember again the roses
of spring and the green pathway
where you vowed so many things to me!
When winter comes again...
we shall remember again the roses!
If you like, Mignonne!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pol
• Plançon
• Massenet
• Si
• tu
• veux
• Mignonne
• 1905

[titaruffo2]

Si tu veux, Mignonne, au printemps Nous verrons fleurir l'aubépine Qui sème dans les prés naissants La neige de sa tête fine, Si tu veux, Mignonne, au printemps Nous verrons fleurir l'aubépine! Si tu veux, quand viendra l'été, Nous écouterons dans les branches Les chants d'amour et da gaîté, Des petites colombes blanches, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'été, Nous écouterons dans les branches! 

[dantitustimshu]

@titaruffo2 Many thanks, Leo, for your kind generosity in providing the original French text.

[meltzerboy]

@meltzerboy And, as stated by others, Plancon is so very French in his elegant style.

[meltzerboy]

Plancon is probably the finest bass on disc. The splendid beauty of his voice, his exquisite phrasing, crystal-clear enunciation, and exceptional florid technique are hardly equaled by any other singer. Thanks for posting this rarity, Tim!

[EdmundStAustell]

This has to be the epitome of French singing: as pointed out, the enunciation, the elegance are simply stunning. Great singing!

[AulicExclusiva]

Marvelous singing, of course. Even more amazing and now unique is his phrasing and enunciation: there is simply no singer around today who can handle French words like this. Reynaldo Hahn made an even more expressive recording of this song; enunciation of this sort was once the key to the French school of singing. Very far indeed from the plebeyan gargling one hears from the pitiful Roberto Alagna or Nathalie Dessay.

[mayatatyana1]

Tim, exquisite voice! Thank you. Wonderful photos. Maya

[titaruffo2]

Nous irons dans les bois jaunis, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'automne, Pour qu'elles aient chaud dans leurs nids Leur porter des brins d'anémone, Si tu veux, Mignonne, Nous irons dans les bois jaunis, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'automne... Et puis, quand reviendra l'hiver... Nous nous ressouviendrons des roses, Du printemps, et du sentier vert Où tu m'as juré tant de choses! Alors... quand reviendra l'hiver Nous nous ressouviendrons des roses! Si tu veux, Mignonne!

[paulostroff99]

Wondrous singing.TY Tim