Alcools/The Bestiary

Initially called Eau de vie by Apollinaire, the project of Alcools is an anthology retracing his poetic journey since 1888. Apollinaire gathers old poems, with symbolist, mysterious, and falsely archaic accents, Rhine poems, poems of renewal written between 1907 and 1911 and published in various magazines, and more recent, still unpublished poems. Arranged according to a thematic and poetic principle rather than chronological, devoid of any punctuation and adorned with a frontispiece by Picasso, this collection quickly becomes successful. The rare words, unusual details, changes in tone and rhythm enchant the reader like a powerful spell... and lead them to rediscover and appreciate Le Bestiaire published in 1911 and relatively unnoticed at the time. In perfect harmony with the language, actor Bernard Métraux masterfully interprets the most beautiful poems by Apollinaire. As a bonus, a rare and moving archival document: a reading of Le Pont Mirabeau by Apollinaire himself (1913). Listening to this CD in class is authorized by the publisher.