The thesis deals with the specifics of "musical portrait" as a form of French vocal culture of the twentieth century. The theoretical understanding of the portrait genre is revealed, which synthesizes the artistic image and philosophical comprehension of both unique characteristics and typical features of the personality. For the "musical portrait», the most important expressive means is the synthesis of music and words that can be enriched by the elements of choreographic, theatrical and fine arts.
The French chamber-vocal portrait genre is a national phenomenon, in which features of linguistic culture, stylistic and genre characteristics demonstrate the importance of a national idea. The typical features of French symbolism as a style are investigated. The value of musical symbolism for the French vocal culture of the twentieth century is proved. The influence of surrealistic poetry on chamber vocal works has been determined, which has expanded the idea of interaction between poetic symbolism and the musical genre of mélodie, the result of which is the deepening of the psychology of musical images, the visualization of the "portrait", and the acquisition of dialogical ease. Analysis of vocal "portraits" in the framework of the study of the synthesis of arts proves that one of their functions is self-identification, preservation of national identity. The close connection with folk and urban cultures, the use of the experience of genres of chanson and mélodie makes it possible to use the principle of double coding for the analysis of the genre. Musical portraiture as a kind of intermediate interpretation of artistic texts is substantiated. Narrative analysis allowed to outline different perceptions, combine visualization and internal perception of images and representations, emotionality and intelligence. For the understanding of overcoming the boundaries of different types of art in the "musical portraits", the concept of "ekphrasis" is used.
All the defining features of the genre of "musical portrait" can be illustrated by various works by F. Poulenc. The music of the composer has a worldwide reputation, and therefore Ukrainian performers are interested in its in-depth study. Conceptual developments presented in the thesis can be used to analyze "musical portraits" in other national cultures and other epochs.
Keywords: French vocal culture, portrait, “musical portrait”, self-portrait, Symbolism, intermediality, narrative, ekphrasis.
