Language and Diction: To Be or Not to Be: Notes on the Muted E, Part 1

In the first part of a series, Néron examines the long-standing controversy over the use of the muted "e" in French vocal music. Although the commonly perceived practice is that the muted "e" is sounded when singing, and silent when speaking, French composers and poets show little consensus on this usage. It was not until the early 20th century that French composers began to develop notation to indicate whether or not a muted "e" should be voiced.