The Four Melodies, Op. 51, are a cycle of French songs by the composer Gabriel Fauré, written in 1889.

Context and Creation:

Tears
The first song, composed in 1888 to a poem by Jean Richepin, is dedicated to "Princess Edmond de Polignac. It was published in 1888 by Hamelle.

At the Cemetery
The second song in the cycle was composed in 1888 to a poem by Jean Richepin and is dedicated to "Madame Maurice Sulzbach". It was published by Hamelle in 1888. The premiere took place at the Société Nationale de Musique on February 2, 1889, performed by the tenor Maurice Bagès.

Spleen
Dedicated to "Madame Henri Cochin," the third song was composed in 1888 to a poem by Paul Verlaine. It was published in 1888 by Hamelle.

The Rose
This melody was composed around 1889 and was added to the work later, at the request of its publisher, Hamelle. Set to a poem by Leconte de Lisle, it is dedicated to Maurice Bagès.