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French composer and pianist, celebrated member of Les Six, known for melodic charm and stylistic versatility.Self-taught composer who gained fame in 1920s Paris. Key works include concertos, sacred music (Gloria), operas (Dialogues des Carmélites), and art songs. Blended wit, emotion, and neoclassical clarity across diverse genres.

• Poulenc inherited wealth from his father's pharmaceutical empire (Rhône-Poulenc), enabling artistic freedom without financial pressure.
• His Catholic faith deepened after a 1936 pilgrimage to Rocamadour following his lover's death, inspiring major sacred works like Litanies à la Vierge Noire.
• Openly gay, he dedicated song cycles to partners, including the acclaimed Tel jour, telle nuit to Raymond Destouches.
• Survived a 1949 scandal when his opera Les Mamelles de Tirésias premiered – critics condemned its surrealist absurdity.
• Suffered severe depression after his partner Lucien Roubert died of tuberculosis in 1955, halting his creative output for months.
• Died suddenly of heart failure at 64 while preparing a concert. Buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery beside Roubert.