Therese Schmidt sings a bright-toned Villanelle

THE SONGBIRD: French soprano Thérèse Schmidt is from Le Havre in Normandy. She made her debut at the age of eight in the children's chorus of "Carmen." After vocal studies at the music conservatory in Nancy, she moved to Paris and studied privately with Jean Giraudeau. She won the Voix d'Or competition in 1961 and made her debut as Rosina in Dijon, followed by Lakme in Nancy. Other than a few recordings, I'm unable to uncover any further information on her stage career.

THE MUSIC: Hector Berlioz composed "Les nuits d'ete" Op. 7 as cycle of six songs in 1841. The lyrics are those of the romantic poet Théophile Gautier. The cycle was originally for soloist and piano accompaniment; Berlioz orchestrated one of the songs in 1843 and the remaining songs in 1856. The first song is the light, bright "Villanelle" -- a celebration of love in spring.

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