author
Franc-Nohain
1873–1934
Best remembered for bringing wit and theatrical flair to French musical stage works, this poet and librettist helped shape the light, playful spirit of early 20th-century operetta. He is especially associated with Maurice Ravel’s L'heure espagnole and collaborations with Claude Terrasse.
3 Audiobooks
De la mer aux Vosges
by Franc-Nohain
Le Pays de l'Instar
by Franc-Nohain
About the author
Writing under the name Franc-Nohain, Maurice Étienne Legrand was a French poet, writer, and librettist born in Corbigny, France, in 1872. He trained in law and also worked in public administration, but his lasting reputation comes from literature and the stage.
He became known for lively, humorous writing and for libretti that paired well with composers drawn to charm, rhythm, and satire. His best-known work is the libretto for Maurice Ravel’s L'heure espagnole, and he also wrote numerous operetta texts for Claude Terrasse.
Franc-Nohain died in Paris in 1934. Though not always as widely remembered as the composers he worked with, he remains an important figure in French theatrical and musical culture for the sparkle and comic energy of his words.