January 7, 1899:
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc is born at 2 place des Saussaies near the Elysée Palace in Paris, Republic of France, one of two children born to Emile Poulenc who, along with his brothers, owns a firm which manufactures industrial chemicals, and Jenny Royer, daughter of a cabinet maker.
September 26, 1917:
On the recommendation of Paul Dukas (51), Francis Poulenc (18) visits Paul Vidal, conductor of the Opéra-Comique, in search of composition lessons. Poulenc shows him his Rapsodie nègre. When he sees the dedication to Satie (51) Vidal stands and bellows, “Your work stinks, it is ridiculous, it is merely a load of balls...Ah! I see you are running with Stravinsky (35), Satie, and company. Well then, good day!”
December 11, 1917:
Rapsodie nègre, for baritone, piano, string quartet, flute, and clarinet by Francis Poulenc (18) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, Paris. This is the first work of Poulenc to be performed in public. When the singer does not appear, objecting to the nonsense text, the composer performs the vocal part. This is the first concert of a group of young composers organizing itself around Erik Satie (51) called Les Nouveaux Jeunes. It also sees the premiere of Vieux sequins et vieills cuirasses, three pieces for piano by Erik Satie.
January 17, 1918:
World War I: Francis Poulenc (19) enters the French military.
March 19, 1918:
Violin Sonata no.1 by Arthur Honegger (26) is performed completely for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. Also on the program is the premiere of Poèmes sénégalais for voice and string quartet by Francis Poulenc (19). See 19 January 1918.
April 28, 1918:
At the home of Valentine Gross in Paris, Francis Poulenc (19) meets Guillaume Apollinaire for the first time. Poulenc will set Apollinaire’s words to music many times in the coming decades.
December 21, 1918:
A Sonata for violin and piano by Francis Poulenc (19) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 5, 1919:
A concert in the Salle Huyghens, Paris features all six of “les nouveaux Jeunes” for the first time. Premiered is the String Quartet no.4 by Darius Milhaud (26) and Sonata for two clarinets by Francis Poulenc (20).
June 8, 1919:
At an afternoon memorial to Guillaume Apollinaire in Paris, Francis Poulenc’s (20) song cycle Le Bestiaire, to words of Apollinaire, is performed publicly for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.
December 19, 1919:
The first international presentation of the music of Les Nouveaux Jeunes takes place at the Institut des hautes Etudes de Belgique in Brussels. Works by Erik Satie (63), Louis Durey, Georges Auric, Arthur Honegger (27), Darius Milhaud (27), Francis Poulenc (20), and Germaine Tailleferre are performed. A conference on new music accompanies the concert.
January 8, 1920:
A meeting takes place in an apartment in the rue Gaillard, Paris at the invitation of the apartment’s occupant, Darius Milhaud (27). It brings together several music critics and six young composers: Milhaud, Arthur Honegger (27), Francis Poulenc (21), Louis Durey, Georges Auric and Germaine Tailleferre. They spend the afternoon and evening talking about and listening to the new music. This sees the first performance of Honegger’s Violin Sonata no.2 played by the composer and his future wife, Andrée Vaurabourg. See 28 February 1920.
January 16, 1920:
Henri Collet publishes his article “Un livre de Rimsky et un livre de Cocteau--Les Cinqs Russes, les Six Français et Erik Satie (53),” in Comoedia. This begins the history of that unlikely combination of six French composers called “Les Six”: Arthur Honegger (27), Darius Milhaud (27), Germaine Tailleferre, Louis Durey, Francis Poulenc (20) and Georges Auric.
February 21, 1920:
At a concert organized by Jean Cocteau at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, the following works are performed for the first time: Le boeuf sur le toit, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (27), Sonata for piano duet and Cocardes, a cycle for solo voice, cornet, trombone, bass drum, triangle, and violin, both by Francis Poulenc (21) (the latter to words of Cocteau), and Trois petites pièces montées by Erik Satie (53).
March 6, 1920:
At a dinner party in Paris paid for by François Bernouard, the periodical Le Coq is launched. It is an idea of Jean Cocteau and Les Six: Francis Poulenc (21), Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger (25), Darius Milhaud (27), and Germaine Tailleferre. Only four issues will be produced.
April 10, 1920:
Suite en ut for piano by Francis Poulenc (21) is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique.
January 17, 1921:
Francis Poulenc (22) leaves the French military.
April 22, 1921:
Five Orchestral Pieces by Arnold Schoenberg (46) is performed in Paris. Maurice Ravel (46) and Francis Poulenc (22) are among the listeners. During the fourth movement a brawl breaks out in the audience involving Florent Schmitt (50) who leaves with a swollen face.
June 18, 1921:
Five members of Les Six, Arthur Honegger (29), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (28), Francis Poulenc (22), and Georges Auric, are brought together by Jean Cocteau, each to produce a section of the ballet Les mariés de la tour Eiffel, to his scenario. The work is produced at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Audience reactions are strongly mixed. Aaron Copland (20) is in the audience, but he remembers it as 19 June.
June 21, 1921:
Jongleurs for two pianos by Francis Poulenc (22) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Colisée, Paris.
November 4, 1921:
Charles Koechlin (53) visits Francis Poulenc (22) in the Rue de Monceau. They agree that Poulenc will receive lessons twice a week. Over the next nine months, Koechlin gives Poulenc 38 lessons.
January 7, 1922:
The Quatre Poèmes for baritone, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and trumpet by Francis Poulenc to words of Jacob, is performed for the first time, in Paris under the baton of Darius Milhaud (29), on the composer’s 23rd birthday. The work will be destroyed by Poulenc.
February 13, 1922:
Francis Poulenc (23) undergoes an operation in Vienna for a throat abscess. The operation is a success.
February 22, 1922:
Six Impromptus for piano by Francis Poulenc (23) are performed for the first time, in Paris.
March 17, 1922:
Le Bestiaire, a cycle for voice, flute, clarinet, bassoon, and string quartet by Francis Poulenc (23) is performed for the first time, in the Salle du Conservatoire, Paris.
January 4, 1923:
Two chamber works by Francis Poulenc (23) are performed for the first time in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris: Sonata for clarinet and bassoon and Sonata for horn, trumpet and trombone. Also premiered is the fourth of the Five Nocturnes for piano by Erik Satie (56).
January 7, 1923:
Promenades for piano by Francis Poulenc is performed for the first time, in Brussels, on the composer’s 24th birthday.
June 25, 1923:
El retablo de maese Pedro, a puppet opera by Manuel de Falla (46) to his own words after Cervantes, is staged for the first time, privately, at the home of Princesse Edmond de Polignac, Paris. Present is Falla’s friend, Igor Stravinsky (41) as well as Francis Poulenc (24), Darius Milhaud (30), Pablo Picasso, and Paul Valéry. The audience calls for an encore but the musicians refuse to perform it since the Princesse did not invite them to the dinner before the concert. See 23 March 1923 and 24 October 1924.
January 6, 1924:
Les Biches, a ballet with song by Francis Poulenc for chorus and orchestra to an anonymous text, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de Monte-Carlo in Monaco on the eve of the composer’s 25th birthday.
March 17, 1924:
Two movements of Napoli for piano by Francis Poulenc (25) are performed for the first time, in Paris. See 2 May 1926.
March 10, 1925:
Poèmes de Ronsard, a song cycle by Francis Poulenc (26) is performed for the first time, in the Salle des Agriculteurs, Paris, the composer at the piano.
May 2, 1926:
Two works by Francis Poulenc (27) are performed for the first time, in the Salle des Agriculteurs, Paris: Chansons gaillardes, a song cycle to various seventeenth century texts, and the Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano. In addition, Poulenc’s piano work Napoli is performed completely for the first time. For the Chansons gaillardes, the composer accompanies Pierre Bernac for the first time. They will be an important performing duo for decades to come. See 17 March 1924.
April 7, 1927:
The orchestration of Francis Poulenc’s (28) Trois mouvements perpétuels is performed for the first time, in Salle Huygens, Paris. See 9 February 1919.
May 7, 1927:
Vocalise for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (28) is possibly performed for the first time, in Paris. See 3 March 1928.
June 16, 1927:
L’éventail de Jeanne, a ballet with scenario by Franck and Bourgat, and music by Albert Roussel (58), Florent Schmitt (56), Maurice Ravel (52), Jacques Ibert (36), Roland-Manuel (36), Darius Milhaud (34), Marcel Delannoy (28), Francis Poulenc (28), Georges Auric (28), and Pierre-Octave Ferroud (27), is performed for the first time, at the home of Jeanne Dubost in Paris. See 4 March 1929.
March 3, 1928:
Sections of Francis Poulenc’s (29) Airs chantés for voice and piano are performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, Paris along with the premiere of Poulenc’s Vocalise. See 10 June 1928 and 7 May 1927.
June 10, 1928:
Airs chantés for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (29) to words of Moréas, is performed completely for the first time, in the Salle Chopin, Paris. The concert also includes the premiere of two Poulenc Novelettes and the Three Pieces for piano. See 3 March 1928.
March 4, 1929:
L’Eventail de Jeanne, a ballet to a scenario by Franck and Bourgat, and music by Albert Roussel (59), Florent Schmitt (58), Maurice Ravel (53), Jacques Ibert (38), Roland-Manuel (37), Darius Milhaud (36), Marcel Delannoy (30), Francis Poulenc (30), Georges Auric (30), and Pierre-Octave Ferroud (29) is performed publicly for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. See 16 June 1927.
April 18, 1929:
Jazz dans la nuit for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (60) to words of Dommange, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Also premiered is Pièce brève sur le nom d’Albert Roussel for piano by Francis Poulenc (30).
May 3, 1929:
Concert champêtre for harpsichord and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (30) is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
June 19, 1929:
Aubade, a “choreographic concerto” for piano and 18 instruments by Francis Poulenc (30), is performed for the first time, at the home of Vicomte and Vicomtesse de Noailles, Paris the composer at the piano. See 1 December 1929 and 21 January 1930.
December 1, 1929:
Aubade, a “choreographic concerto” for piano and 18 instruments by Francis Poulenc (30), is performed publicly for the first time, in a concert setting in the Salle Pleyel, Paris the composer at the piano. See 18 June 1929 and 21 January 1930.
December 11, 1929:
A concert celebrating the ten years of Les Six takes place in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Music by Georges Auric, Germaine Tailleferre, Francis Poulenc (30), Darius Milhaud (37), Louis Durey, and Arthur Honegger (37) is heard.
January 21, 1930:
Aubade, a “choreographic concerto” for piano and 18 instruments by Francis Poulenc (31), is staged for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris the composer at the piano. See 18 June 1929 and 1 December 1929.
June 1, 1931:
Quatre poèmes de Guillaume Apollinaire, for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (32) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Chopin, Paris. Also premiered is Poulenc’s Trois Poèmes de Louise Lalanne for voice and piano to words of Laurencin and Apollinaire. The composer plays piano for both.
April 20, 1932:
Le Bal masqué, a cantata for voice, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello, percussion, and piano by Francis Poulenc (33) to words of Jacob, is performed for the first time, at the home of Vicomte de Noailles, Hyères. The composer performs the piano part. See 13 June 1932.
May 24, 1932:
Two of the Cinq Poèmes for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (33) to words of Jacob, are performed for the first time, at the Salle du Conservatoire, Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
June 13, 1932:
Le Bal masqué, a cantata for voice, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello, percussion, and piano by Francis Poulenc (33) to words of Jacob, is performed publicly for the first time, in Paris the composer at the piano. See 20 April 1932.
September 5, 1932:
Concerto in d minor for two pianos and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (33) is performed for the first time, in Venice. The composer performs at one keyboard.
December 16, 1932:
Sonatine for violin and cello by Arthur Honegger (40) is performed for the first time, at the inaugural performance of Triton, a society dedicated to modern chamber music, in Paris. It was formed by Honegger, Darius Milhaud (40), Francis Poulenc (33), and Sergey Prokofiev (41).
February 4, 1933:
Improvisations for piano by Francis Poulenc (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris by the composer.
March 1, 1933:
Incidental music to Giraudoux’s play Intermezzo by Francis Poulenc (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie des Champs-Elysées, Paris.
September 29, 1933:
Incidental music to Romains’ play M. Le Trouhadec saisi par la débauche by Francis Poulenc (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 8, 1933:
Incidental music to Achard’s play Petrus by Francis Poulenc (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie des Champs-Elysées, Paris.
August 17, 1934:
Francis Poulenc (35) accompanies Pierre Bernac in some songs by Claude Debussy (†16) in Salzburg. Although they shared a stage once before, this is the real beginning of their collaboration. See 2 May 1926.
April 3, 1935:
Cinq poèmes d’Eluard for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (36) are performed for the first time, in L’École normale de musique, Paris. This is the first formal recital by the duo of Francis Poulenc and Pierre Bernac.
November 26, 1935:
Incidental music to Bourdet’s play Margot by Francis Poulenc (36) and Georges Auric is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Marigny, Paris.
December 11, 1935:
Suite française d’après Claude Gervaise for six winds, harpsichord, and percussion by Francis Poulenc (36) is performed for the first time, in Salle Chopin, Paris.
August 22, 1936:
Reeling from the sudden violent death of his friend and collaborator Pierre-Octave Ferroud in an automobile accident, and already in the midst of a religious awakening, Francis Poulenc (37) visits the shrine of the Black Virgin of Rocamadour. Here he solidifies his return to Roman Catholicism. Today, he begins composing Litanies à la Vierge noire.
November 15, 1936:
Belle et ressemblante from Francis Poulenc’s (37) Sept chansons for chorus is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC conducted by Nadia Boulanger (49). The words are from Eluard. See 21 May 1937.
November 17, 1936:
Litanies à la Vierge Noire for female chorus and organ by Francis Poulenc (37) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC, Nadia Boulanger (49) conducting.
December 1, 1936:
Les Soirées de Nazelles for piano by Francis Poulenc (37) is performed for the first time, by the composer over the airwaves of the BBC.
February 3, 1937:
Tel jour, telle nuit, a song cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (38) to words of Eluard, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the piano.
May 21, 1937:
Sept Chansons for chorus by Francis Poulenc (38) to words of Legrand, Eluard, and Apollinaire, is performed completely, perhaps for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris. See 15 November 1936.
June 24, 1937:
Deux marches et un intermède for chamber orchestra by Francis Poulenc (38) is performed for the first time, at a party given by Duke François d’Harcourt at the Paris Exposition Universelle. Other numbers are added by Georges Auric.
December 30, 1937:
The earthly remains of Maurice Ravel are interred in Cimitière de Levallois-Perret, Haute-de-Seine, beside those of his parents. Among those attending are Igor Stravinsky (55), Arthur Honegger (45), Darius Milhaud (45), Francis Poulenc (38), and Benjamin Britten (24).
April 3, 1938:
Mass in G for chorus by Francis Poulenc (39) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 2, 1938:
Sécheresses, a cantata for chorus and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (39) to words of James, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
October 14, 1938:
Songs by Francis Poulenc (39) are performed for the first time, at The Hague: Deux poèmes de Guillaume Apollinaire, Le Portrait to words of Colette, and Tu vois le feu du soir from Miroirs brûlants, to words of Eluard.
November 28, 1938:
Trois poèmes for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (39) to words of Vilmorin are performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the piano. Also premiered is Scenic Railway for piano by Arthur Honegger (46).
December 16, 1938:
Concerto for organ, strings, and timpani by Francis Poulenc (39) is performed for the first time, privately at Hôtel Singer-Polignac in Paris with Maurice Duruflé at the organ and Nadia Boulanger (51) conducting. See 21 June 1939.
February 16, 1939:
Miroirs brûlants, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (40) to words of Eluard, is performed completely for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Also premiered is Poulenc’s Le Portrait to words of Colette, for voice and piano. The composer plays the piano for both. See 14 October 1938.
June 21, 1939:
Francis Poulenc’s (40) Concerto for organ, strings, and timpani is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris, Maurice Duruflé at the organ. See 16 December 1938.
November 19, 1939:
Francis Poulenc (40), a reservist, is assigned to the Education nationale, administration des Beaux-Arts.
June 2, 1940:
World War II: 26,256 men are evacuated from Dunkirk, including the last British units.
Francis Poulenc (41) is mobilized into the 72nd anti-aircraft artillery battery at Bordeaux.
July 18, 1940:
Francis Poulenc (41) is demobilized from the French army.
July 22, 1940:
Francis Poulenc (41) arrives at the home of relatives in Brive-la-Gaillarde.
September 9, 1940:
Francis Poulenc (41) arrives back in Paris from Brive-la-Gaillarde. He made the trip on a cattle train.
November 3, 1940:
Incidental music to Anouilh’s play Leocadia by Francis Poulenc (41) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Michodière, Paris.
December 9, 1940:
Sextet for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn by Francis Poulenc (41) is performed for the first time, in its “definitive” version, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris. Also premiered is Poulenc’s Ce doux petit visage for voice and piano to words of Eluard. It is his first public performance since the surrender.
December 14, 1940:
Banalités for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (41) to words of Apollinaire, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the piano.
February 4, 1941:
Colloque for soprano, baritone, and piano by Francis Poulenc (42) to words of Valéry is performed for the first time, in Théâtre des Mathurins, Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
May 23, 1941:
Mélancolie for piano by Francis Poulenc (42) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.
October 8, 1941:
Incidental music to Exbrayat’s play La fille du jardinier by Francis Poulenc (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 15, 1941:
Trois poèmes for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49), to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Francis Poulenc (42) plays the piano part.
March 27, 1942:
La Duchesse de Longeais, a film with music by Francis Poulenc (43), is shown for the first time, in Paris.
May 21, 1942:
Fiancailles pour rire, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (43) to words of Vilmorin, is performed for the first time, at the Ecole Normale de Musique, Paris, the composer at the piano.
June 28, 1942:
Petit Cours de Morale for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49) to words of Giraudoux, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris, Francis Poulenc (43) at the piano.
August 8, 1942:
Les animaux modèles, a ballet by Francis Poulenc (43) to a scenario by de LaFontaine, is publicly staged for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. The composer is already a member of the Resistance group the Front national des musiciens and has worked some covert anti-German references into the work. See 7 March 1943.
March 7, 1943:
An orchestral suite from the ballet Les Animaux modèles by Francis Poulenc (44) is performed for the first time, in the Salle du Conservatoire, Paris.
May 10, 1943:
Visions de l’Amen for two pianos by Olivier Messiaen (34) is performed for the first time, by Yvonne Loriod and the composer, in the Gallerie Charpentier, Paris. It is Ms. Loriod’s first move up from page-turner to musical collaborator with Messiaen. The invited audience contains the most important luminaries of occupied Paris, including Francis Poulenc (44), Paul Valéry, Jean Cocteau, Roland-Manuel, Pierre Boulez (18), and Christian Dior.
June 21, 1943:
Violin Sonata by Francis Poulenc (44) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard. The work is dedicated to the memory of Federico García Lorca.
June 28, 1943:
Chansons villageoises for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (44) to words of Frombeure, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard.
December 8, 1943:
Two song groups for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (44) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard: Métamorphoses to words of Vilmorin and the Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon.
February 23, 1944:
Le Voyageur sans bagage, a film with music by Francis Poulenc (45), is shown for the first time, in Paris.
January 6, 1945:
Francis Poulenc and Benjamin Britten (31) are soloists in Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in Royal Albert Hall, London on the eve of his 46th birthday. It is the first time the two have met and it is the beginning of a fruitful relationship.
January 15, 1945:
The first civilian Channel boat train since May 1940 departs London. Aboard are Francis Poulenc (46) and Pierre Bernac.
March 25, 1945:
Figure Humaine, a cantata by Francis Poulenc (46) to words of Eluard, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC, originating in London.
March 27, 1945:
Francis Poulenc (46) writes to Darius Milhaud (52) in the United States. “The ascension of Messiaen (36) has been the most significant musical event. You will, in fact, find a fanatical sect surrounding this musician who, for all the impossible literary jargon, is nevertheless remarkable.”
April 7, 1945:
Following the disruption of a work by Igor Stravinsky (62) on 15 March, Le Figaro publishes a defense of the composer written by Francis Poulenc (46). He calls the whistlers “little pugs in the public gardens who cock their legs against the plinths of the statues.” (Poulenc, Nichols, Southon, 31)
April 21, 1945:
Trois petites liturgies de la Présence Divine for female chorus, piano, ondes martenot, five percussionists, and strings by Olivier Messiaen (36) to his own words is performed for the first time, in Salle de l'Ancien Conservatoire, Paris. The work is an immediate success with the public but causes a storm of protest in the press. Also premiered is Un Soir de Neige, a chamber cantata by Francis Poulenc (46) to words of Eluard, and Darius Milhaud's (52) Quatrains valaisans for chorus to words of Rilke. Poulenc finds Messiaen’s work “marvelous.”
April 27, 1945:
Montparnasse and Hyde Park, both for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (46) to words of Apollinaire, are performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard, in the first concert devoted entirely to the songs of Poulenc.
December 5, 1945:
Incidental music to Salacrou’s play Le soldat et la sorcière by Francis Poulenc (46) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt, Paris.
January 8, 1946:
Francis Poulenc (47) is named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
June 14, 1946:
L’histoire de Babar, a melodrama for speaker and piano by Francis Poulenc (47) to words of de Brunhoff, is performed for the first time, in a radio broadcast from Paris the composer at the keyboard. See 8 February 1949.
June 17, 1946:
A ceremony takes place making Francis Poulenc (47) a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He was named in January.
November 6, 1946:
Deux mélodies for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (47) to words of Apollinaire are performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
December 19, 1946:
Rencesvals for voice and piano by Luigi Dallapiccola (42) to words from Le chanson de Roland is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Belgian Radio originating in Brussels. The musicians are Pierre Bernac and Francis Poulenc (47).
June 3, 1947:
Francis Poulenc’s (48) opéra-bouffe Les mamelles de Tirésias, to words of Apollinaire, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
November 5, 1947:
Incidental music to Anouilh’s play L’invitation au château by Francis Poulenc (48) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de l’Atelier, Paris.
November 12, 1947:
Trois chansons de F. Garcia-Lorca for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (48) is performed for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.
December 5, 1947:
Incidental music to Molière’s play Amphitryon by Francis Poulenc (48) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de Marigny, Paris.
October 16, 1948:
Calligrammes, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (49) to words of Apollinaire, is performed for the first time, privately in the Paris salon of the Comtesse Marie-Blanche de Polignac, the composer at the keyboard. See 20 November 1948.
October 24, 1948:
Sinfonietta by Francis Poulenc (49) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in London.
November 4, 1948:
Francis Poulenc (49) and Pierre Bernac give the first recital on their first North American tour, at the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Washington.
November 7, 1948:
Francis Poulenc (49) and Pierre Bernac perform in Town Hall, New York to prolonged applause. The press is very laudatory.
November 20, 1948:
Calligrammes, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (49) to words of Apollinaire, is performed publicly for the first time, in Town Hall, New York, the composer at the keyboard. See 16 October 1948.
December 28, 1948:
Hymne for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (49) to words of Racine is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
February 8, 1949:
L’histoire de Babar, a melodrama for speaker and piano by Francis Poulenc (50) to words of de Brunhoff, is performed for the first time before a live audience, in London the composer at the piano. See 14 June 1946.
May 18, 1949:
A Cello Sonata by Francis Poulenc (50) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the piano.
July 8, 1949:
Ned Rorem (25) has his first lengthy meeting with Francis Poulenc (50) in Poulenc’s Paris home. Rorem says Poulenc is “the twentieth-century composer to whose work I feel most akin.”
November 6, 1949:
Mazurka for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (50) to words of Vilmorin is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
December 28, 1949:
Francis Poulenc (50) flies from Paris to New York to begin his second North American tour.
January 6, 1950:
Piano Concerto by Francis Poulenc is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer at the keyboard on the eve of his 51st birthday.
July 25, 1950:
The European premiere of Olivier Messiaen’s (39) Turangalîla-Symphonie takes place in Aix-en-Provence. At the conclusion, members of the audience with differing opinions set upon each other. Arthur Honegger (58) and Roland-Manuel mix it up, as do Francis Poulenc (51) and Georges Auric.
November 1, 1950:
La Fraîcheur et le feu, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (51) to words of Eluard, is performed for the first time, in Birmingham, the composer at the keyboard.
June 13, 1951:
Stabat mater for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (52) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.
August 14, 1951:
Le voyage en Amérique, a film with music by Francis Poulenc (52), is shown for the first time, in the Cinéma des Étoiles, Cannes.
January 21, 1952:
Francis Poulenc (53) and Pierre Bernac begin their third North American tour with a performance at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington. They give the first complete performance of Samuel Barber's cycle Melodies passagères op.27 to words of Rilke.
July 31, 1952:
La Guirlande de Campra: Sept variations ou méditations sur un thème de son opéra for orchestra is performed for the first time, in Aix-en-Provence. Contributors include François Lesur, Roland-Manuel, Germaine Tailleferre, Henri Sauguet, Georges Auric, Arthur Honegger (60) and Francis Poulenc (53). Honegger’s offering is called Toccata, Poulenc’s is Matelote provençal.
November 25, 1952:
Immortal autumn for tenor and chorus by Ross Lee Finney (45) to words of MacLeish is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh. Also premiered is Ave Verum Corpus for female chorus by Francis Poulenc (53).
December 15, 1952:
Thème varié for piano by Francis Poulenc (53) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.
January 12, 1953:
The New York Music Critics Circle names Francis Poulenc’s (54) Stabat mater as the best choral work of 1952 and Paul Hindemith’s (57) Septet as the best work of chamber music.
September 1, 1953:
Francis Poulenc (54) is promoted from Chevalier to the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honor.
October 31, 1953:
Francis Poulenc (54) receives his decoration as an Officer of the Legion of Honor.
November 2, 1953:
Sonata for two pianos by Francis Poulenc (54) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.
October 12, 1954:
Two works for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (55) are performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the composer at the keyboard: Parisiana, to words of Jacob, which includes the songs “Jouer du bugle” and “Vous n’écrivez plus?” and Rosemonde, to words of Apollinaire.
October 21, 1954:
In the same hour that Francis Poulenc (56) completes Dialogues des Carmélites, the salesman Lucien Roubert, with whom he has had a six-year relationship, dies of cancer in Toulon.
June 4, 1956:
Variations sur le nom de Marguerite Long for winds, timpani, and strings is performed for the first time, at the Sorbonne, Paris at a Jubilée Marguerite Long. Contributors are Jean Françaix, Henri Sauguet, Darius Milhaud (63), Jean Rivier, Henri Dutilleux, Daniel Lesur, Francis Poulenc (57), and Georges Auric. Milhaud’s contribution is Valse en forme de Rondo op.353b, while Poulenc’s is called Bucolique.
January 26, 1957:
Dialogues des Carmélites, an opera by Francis Poulenc (58) to words of Bernanos, is performed for the first time, at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, in Italian. The critics are ecstatic. See 21 June 1957.
March 13, 1957:
Pablo Picasso makes a graphite sketch of Francis Poulenc (58) in Paris.
April 1, 1957:
Le Travail du peintre, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (58) to words of Eluard, is performed for the first time, in the École normale de musique, Paris the composer at the keyboard. See 5 September 1957.
June 18, 1957:
Sonata for flute and piano by Francis Poulenc (58) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg by Jean-Pierre Rampal and the composer.
June 21, 1957:
Dialogues des Carmélites, an opera by Francis Poulenc (58) to words of Bernanos, is performed for the first time in French, at the Paris Opéra. See 26 January 1957.
September 5, 1957:
Le Travail du peintre, a cycle for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (58) to words of Eluard, is performed officially for the first time, in Edinburgh. Also premiered is Poulenc’s Deux mélodies 1956 to words of Apollinaire. The composer is at the keyboard for both. See 1 April 1957.
September 16, 1957:
Vive Nadia for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (58) is performed for the first time, in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland to celebrate the 70th birthday of Nadia Boulanger.
February 17, 1958:
Élégie for horn and piano by Francis Poulenc (59) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC, the composer at the piano.
June 25, 1958:
Francis Poulenc (59) is awarded an honorary doctorate by Oxford University.
January 7, 1959:
On his sixtieth birthday, Francis Poulenc is elected an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Academy of Arts and Letters.
February 6, 1959:
Francis Poulenc’s (60) tragédie lyrique La voix humaine, to words of Cocteau, is performed for the first time, in the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
November 20, 1959:
Francis Poulenc (60) receives a cable from Leonard Bernstein (41) and David Keiser, music director and president of the New York Philharmonic inviting him to compose a major work for the inaugural season of Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center. He will accept.
January 20, 1961:
Gloria for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (62) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
August 18, 1962:
Incidental music to Cocteau’s play Renaud et Armide by Francis Poulenc (63) is performed for the first time, in Baalbeck.
January 30, 1963:
13:00 Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc dies of a heart attack alone in his apartment at 5 rue de Médicis in Paris, Republic of France, aged 64 years and 23 days.
February 2, 1963:
A funeral for Francis Poulenc is celebrated in the Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, after which his mortal remains are laid to rest in Père Lachaise Cemetery.
April 10, 1963:
Sonata for clarinet and piano by Francis Poulenc (†0) is performed for the first time, in New York by Benny Goodman and Leonard Bernstein (44).
April 11, 1963:
Sept répons des Ténèbres for boy soprano, boys’ chorus, male chorus, and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (†0) is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, New York.
June 8, 1963:
Sonata for oboe and piano by Francis Poulenc (†0) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.