Pierre Bernac

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Pierre Bernac (born as Pierre Bertin on 12 January 1899 in Paris - died 17 October 1979 in Villeneuve-les-Avignon) was a French baritone.

Although coming to music relatively late, he became the most renowned interpreter of the French art song, and was also famous as a teacher. He taught in master classes and the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau. His students include Gérard Souzay, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Elly Ameling, and Jessye Norman.

Bernac made a number of international concert tours with his lifelong friend Francis Poulenc as accompanist, who wrote many songs for him, including Tel jour, telle nuit and Calligrammes. Composers such as André Jolivet, Henri Sauguet and Jean Françaix also wrote with Bernac in mind. He also shone in German lieder.

Bernac wrote two important books on French art song, Francis Poulenc: The Man and His Songs and The Interpretation of French Song.