Trois Mélodies, Op. 7 (Fauré)

Trois Mélodies, Op. 7 is a set of three art songs (mélodies) composed by Gabriel Fauré. They were composed between 1870 and 1877, representing a period of his early maturity as a composer. The collection includes:

• "Le secret" (Armand Silvestre)
• "Après un rêve" (Romain Bussine, after an anonymous Tuscan poem)
• "Au bord de l'eau" (Sully Prudhomme)

These songs are considered staples of the mélodie repertoire, and are frequently performed by singers. "Après un rêve" is perhaps the most famous of the three, widely known and often arranged for various instruments. The set showcases Fauré's characteristic melodic gift, subtle harmonic language, and sensitive text setting, qualities that would become hallmarks of his compositional style. They demonstrate a move away from overtly dramatic and virtuosic vocal writing towards a more intimate and nuanced expression. The settings of poetry by Silvestre, Bussine, and Prudhomme reflect the prevalent tastes of the French salon culture of the late 19th century.