Pelléas et Mélisande

One of the goals of the present edition is to narrow the gap between the full score and the piano reduction, in respect of the philosophy of the Œuvres complètes to offer the composer’s final version. As a particular aid to singers (and students), thematic material, especially when it involves the musical motives associated with the principal characters, was added, usually in small notes, when it had not figured in the composer’s own reduction. Rehearsal pianists may elect to omit such additions.

Moreover, the numerous editions and reprints of the vocal score allowed Debussy ample opportunity to revise the voice parts to his satisfaction and if he chose to do so, adopt readings from the full score. The main source of the voice parts is the 1907 French-English vocal score or its revision. The present musical text comes from Œuvres complètes de Claude Debussy, Series VI, volume 2 ter.

Claude Debussy's Pelleas Et Melisande for Voice with Piano accompaniment.