Paul Collin


Paul Collin was a French poet, writer, translator and librettist.

Life and career

Collin was born in Conches-en-Ouche. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, his family produced administrative officers in the military, mail and law service as well as physicians. He started a professional career as a lawyer before marrying one of the daughters of the French chemist Theodore Gobley.
Poetry proved to be Collin's real vocation, and he went on to write libretti and song lyrics for a number of operas and cantatas, collaborating with contemporary composers of the second half of the 19th century including Tchaikovsky, who used several of his shorter poetry works for songs. Collin published a collection of his works in 1886. The first award of the Prix Rossini in 1881 was awarded to Paul Collin and the composer Marie, Countess of Grandval for the oratorio La Fille de Jaïre. Collin also wrote as a music critic for the journal Le Ménestrel.

Works

Selected works include:Agar, "poème lyrique" for soloists, mixed chorus and orchestra, music by Georges Pfeiffer Narcisse: Idylle antique pour solo et choeur, opera, music by Jules Massenet Ulysse a l'ile des Sirenes, cantata, music by Jules Massenet La Ronde des songes: scène fantastique, music by Clémence de Grandval Rébecca, cantata, music by César Franck La Fille de Jaïre, oratorio, music by Clémence de Grandval Eternité, song, music by Clémence de Grandval Déception, No. 2 of the Six French Songs, Op. 65, music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Sérénade, No. 3 of the Six French Songs, Op. 65, music by Tchaikovsky Qu'importe que l'hiver, No. 4 of the Six French Songs, Op. 65, music by Tchaikovsky Rondel, No. 6 of the Six French Songs, Op. 65, music by Tchaikovsky Attala, music by Juliette Folville Zaire, opera, music by Charles Lefebvre La Naissance de Vénus, music by Gabriel Fauré Amica, opera, music by Pietro Mascagni

Published books

Musique de chambre, poems, ed. Hachette Glas et carillons, poems, ed. Hachette Du grave au doux, poems, ed. Hachette, 1878 Les Heures Paisibles, poems, ed. Hachette Judith, dramatic opera, music by Charles Lefebvre, ed. Mackar Poèmes Musicaux, ed. Tresse et Stock, 1886
  • ''Poèmes sacrés et profanes''