Chansons De Bilitis: A Presentation and Analysis

Abstract

Claude-Achilles Debussy was born in St. Germaine-en-Laye on August 22, 1862. His family owned a china shop which proved to be unsuccessful and was later given up. Debussy's parents were not very supportive of their children's education and social training. He received minimal education during his formal years which was further delayed by his entry into the Paris Conservatoire. Later in life, however, by reading and associating with literary friends, he developed and completed his basic foundation.1 Debussy's musical talents were first recognized by Mme. Mauté de Fleurville, student of Chopin and mother-in-law of Paul Verlaine. She taught Debussy piano for several year s and prepared him for the entrance exams for the Paris conservatoire, which he passed with ease. Debussy attended the Conservatoire for fifteen years, studying piano and composition. In 1884, he won the highest honor given by the Conservatoire, the Grand Prix de Rome, with the cantata, L'Enfant prodigue.2 Since then, Debussy became increasingly well-known and did much travelling during his last few years at the Conservatoire. He settled down in Paris from 1887.