Paul Verlaine 

• Why he matters: Verlaine's musicality of language and emotional nuance made him a favourite among composers, especially those seeking atmosphere over narrative. His poetry was set by Fauré, Debussy, and Hahn, among others, and helped define the sensual, suggestive quality that became a hallmark of French mélodie.

• Legacy: His influence extended into Symbolism and beyond, shaping the aesthetic of an entire generation of songwriters and poets. Verlaine's poetry offered composers an ideal marriage of mood and ambiguity.

Gabriel Fauré 

• Why he matters: Often considered the father of French mélodie, Fauré developed a language that balanced classical structure with modern harmonic subtlety. He set poets like Verlaine, Baudelaire, and Leconte de Lisle with unmatched sensitivity.

• Legacy: His style influenced not only his direct students (including Ravel and Nadia Boulanger) but also later composers like Hahn and Poulenc. He elevated French song to the same artistic status as German Lieder.

Francis Poulenc 

• Why he matters: Poulenc brought a conversational, deeply human quality to song, combining wit and melancholy with brilliant text setting. He gave voice to 20th-century French poets (Aragon, Apollinaire, Eluard) and created songs that were both accessible and profound.

• Legacy: His songs are among the most performed in the 20th-century French canon, and his distinctive voice helped renew interest in French mélodie for a modern audience.

In terms of interpersonal influence, many of these figures knew each other or admired one another from afar. Paris was a kind of crossroads: salons, cafés, and conservatoires were fertile ground for collaboration. For example:

• Hahn was friends with Proust and influenced by Fauré.

• Debussy and Fauré had mutual respect and moved in similar circles.

• Poulenc revered Fauré and was mentored by one of his pupils.

So, who had the greatest influence?

If we had to name one root from which much of this repertoire grows, it would be Fauré — for his foundational role in French song, his direct teaching lineage, and his influence on the next generation of composers.

But without Verlaine’s poetry, Fauré might never have discovered his most perfect medium.

It’s the interplay between word and music that truly defines this repertoire — and it's the dynamic relationships among these creative spirits that keep the repertoire alive and resonant for singers today.