Shéhérazade (Ravel)

Shéhérazade is a composition by Maurice Ravel, existing in two distinct forms: an overture (1898) and a song cycle (1903). Both draw inspiration from the collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales known as One Thousand and One Nights (also referred to as The Arabian Nights), specifically using poems by Tristan Klingsor.

The overture, Shéhérazade, ouverture de féerie, was one of Ravel's early orchestral works. It premiered in 1899 and was initially poorly received. Despite its initial criticism, Ravel retained the title for his later song cycle.

The song cycle, Shéhérazade, is scored for soprano and orchestra. It consists of three songs:

• "Asie" ("Asia"): The first song, and the longest, evokes a vivid and exotic panorama of Asia, filled with images of spices, silks, and diverse cultures.
• "La Flûte enchantée" ("The Enchanted Flute"): A more intimate and delicate song, depicting a young slave listening to her lover's flute playing.
• "L'Indifférent" ("The Indifferent One"): A more melancholic piece, telling of a languid and detached young man passing by, indifferent to the singer's affections.

The poems by Klingsor are not direct translations from One Thousand and One Nights, but rather evocative depictions inspired by the atmosphere and imagery of the tales. Ravel's music perfectly complements Klingsor's texts, creating a rich and sensual atmosphere that is both exotic and dreamlike. The song cycle is considered a masterpiece of the French mélodie tradition and remains a popular work in the soprano repertoire.