Cinq Mélodies

work by Duparc

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June 24, 2026

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The Cinq Mélodies, Opus 2, is a collection of five songs by French composer Henri Duparc, published in 1870. These songs were an early contribution to the French mélodie, a genre of art song that emerged in the 19th century, inspired by the German Lied.12

Duparc, a student of César Franck, developed the mélodie by expanding it into a more dramatic, opera-like scene, known as a scena. He infused these songs with a deep poetic sensibility and a symphonic approach to musical form. Two of the songs from this collection, "Soupir" and "Chanson triste," are particularly well-known and were later included in his broader collection of songs composed between 1868 and 1884.1

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Henri Duparc
…1870 published five songs (Cinq Mélodies, Opus 2). Two of them, “Soupir” and “Chanson triste,” were later incorporated in his collection of songs, written between 1868 and 1884, including eight with orchestral accompaniment. In these songs, Duparc enlarged the French song into a scena, or opera-like scene, and brought…
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…1870 published five songs (Cinq Mélodies, Opus 2). Two of them, “Soupir” and “Chanson triste,” were later incorporated in his collection of songs, written between 1868 and 1884, including eight with orchestral accompaniment. In these songs, Duparc enlarged the French song into a scena, or opera-like scene, and brought…
Read More