For César Franck, the concept of poetic sense went beyond the text of the verse, to the wider themes and subject of the poem. This allowed him to write works of dramatic consequence despite any lack of attention he may have paid to verse structure.

This disc comprises 16 of Franck’s songs, with lyrics taken from a variety of poets, and includes the first ever recording of A cette terre où l’on ploie sa tente, with the lyrics taken from Victor Hugo’s poem. The elegance and sensitivity of this work in particular epitomise the French music typical of the era.

The songs are performed by Italian soprano Francesca Scaini, for whom praise has been plentiful in Gramophone for her opera work. Originally training in Venice, she won numerous awards – including the coveted Maria Callas, New Verdi Voices prize – and was prima donna at the Staatsoper in Hannover for five years.

Accompanying Scaini is Mattia Ometto, the internationally acclaimed pianist and teacher.