Emma and Claude Debussy: The Biography of a Relationship

This biography explores the life of Emma Bardac, who was married to Claude Debussy, and sheds light on their relationship, her Jewish ancestry, and the impact of their partnership on Debussy's composing. It reveals the financial difficulties they faced and the tensions in their marriage, as well as Emma's support of Debussy during his depression and his death from cancer in 1918. The book also highlights little-known facts about Emma's background and family and provides insights into an early twentieth-century Parisian milieu that experienced widespread antisemitism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Emma Bardac, the enigmatic figure who intertwined her life with the renowned composer Claude Debussy, emerges as the focal point of this captivating exploration. Often portrayed as a woman driven solely by her desire for fame and luxury, Emma's story takes center stage in this comprehensive account. The book delves into Emma's Jewish ancestry, her upbringing in a privileged environment, the significant influence of her wealthy uncle Osiris, her marriage at the age of seventeen to the affluent Jewish banker Sigismond Bardac, her romantic entanglements with Gabriel Fauré, and her eventual union with Debussy. As Gillian Opstad meticulously reveals, the pressures and confines of domestic life had a profound impact on Debussy's artistic outlook. The financial challenges posed by their partnership resulted in disastrous consequences, and their circle of close friends remained limited. Emma bore the physical and mental toll of the marriage, particularly grappling with financial worries and the possibility of Debussy's attraction to her older daughter. Despite contemplating divorce, she stood by him during his darkest moments, supporting him through his profound depression and during the tumultuous First World War until his untimely death in 1918. Following Debussy's passing, Emma felt compelled, both on his behalf and for financial reasons, to promote the performances of the composer's works. This decision incurred the ire of some fellow musicians, as she resurrected, completed, and performed early compositions, challenging established narratives and conventions. In this engagingly written biography, Gillian Opstad sheds light on previously unknown aspects of Emma's background and family, offers fresh insights into her relationship with Debussy, and provides a glimpse into the complex and multifaceted woman behind the legend.

Weight: 848g
Dimension: 242 x 297 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783276585