France has long been known for its music, from Edith Piaf’s dramatic vocals to Claude Debussy’s classical compositions; French musical styles have evolved in response to changing cultural landscapes over the centuries.
Beginning with jazz’s advent in the twentieth century to current artists such as Stromae and Yann Tiersen’s electronic dance music, French musicians have long had an effectful musical legacy worldwide.
Opera
Opera in France emerged during the 17th century from a combination of French drama (Corneille, Moliere and Racine) with music, dance, and spectacle. Although Cavalli and Handel held small footholds at court venues such as Versailles or Lyonseiux’s, real French opera tradition began with Jean-Baptiste Lully who served as King Louis XIV’s composer and musical superintendent and founded an academy that eventually dominated this genre from 1672 onwards. Working closely with librettists created tragedies en musique and created expressive recitative that mimicked how French speech develops over time.
Rameau followed in Rameau’s footsteps, adapting his style with greater emphasis on dramatic effects and less baroque ornament. A battle for precedence ensued between these composers and Gluck, who used an approach that sought to replace Italian influences with beauty of simplicity. By the mid-18th century comic theatrical genres such as ballet pantomime with its predecessor of modern grand ballet romantique as well as more modest comedie lyrique from Gretry flourished; also musical declamation and acting (known as an “acteur Chantant”) were integral parts of French opera.
Chanson Francaise
French music spans the spectrum, from Edith Piaf’s jazz vocals to IAM’s hip-hop rapping. While its genres may be difficult to pinpoint, certain artists do stand out.
Chanson francaise is a unique style of poetic musical composition combining music and lyrics in harmony. While American songs tend to focus more heavily on melody than lyrics, chanson lyrics take center stage in chanson songs.
Music halls and jazz craze threatened classical music during the late 19th century; after World War II however, its popularity rebounded rapidly with musicians such as Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens leading its revival.
Charles Aznavour is an enduring troubadour, still performing chansons today. With an exquisite voice that only gets better with age and dramatic performances that bring out emotion from his audience, Charles shows how chanson can also serve as an invaluable way of learning French language skills by clearly pronouncing his words during performances.
Rock
Rock and other genres combine to form French rock music, known as Avant-Prog. This genre is distinguished by highly complex arrangements featuring dissonance, odd time signatures and even atonality – characteristics which give rise to subgenres like Avant-Prog similar to Modern Classical music.
Cendrillon is an interpretation of a beloved fairytale and serves as an ode to freedom and love. Though the song features tragic events, its message speaks volumes: to love freely without fearing any retribution is strong indeed.
La vie en rose is one of the most famous love songs from France, covered by many artists and inspiring feelings of romance and beauty. Plus, this track makes an excellent karaoke song!
Pop
While French music tends to lean heavily toward easy listening, there are numerous groups and singers who are just as proficient (if not more so) in the pop genre. Lyrically, popular songs feature lyrics which are typically literary in nature with socially conscious themes often being addressed through them; one such musician was Jacques Brel who made waves through this literary aesthetic by creating cutting edge critiques of post-WWII society that made an iconic figure out of him.
French singers are renowned for their vocal virtuosity and powerfully emotional performances. Whether crooning about heartbreak or lamenting world turmoil, these artists know exactly how to move audiences emotionally.
Rock & roll and club-oriented dance music has slowly overtaken pop’s dominance in France, but many classic performers still draw large audiences. Ayo, daughter of a Nigerian father and Sinti mother is one of France’s biggest pop stars; her song, “Ne Quelque Part,” deals with immigrant difficulties living in Paris.