1900 Paris
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19th century France was an era of confusion, as the nation swung from right wing to left in a succession of reactionary shifts. The crowning of the Emperor Napoleon and a succession of wars leading to his demise were followed by a brief period of Louis XVIII rule, temporarily restoring the Bourbon monarchy. After a mere 15 years, a new labor class born of the Industrial Revolution embraced seeds of Socialist ideology and brought about riots and the founding of the Second Republic. Then again bourgeois Republicans uppressed Socialism, Napoleon III conspired with the military and crowned himself Emperor, lost the war against Prussia, and the Third Republic was finally born. Composer Saint-Saëns was most active during the era of the Third Republic, composing Carnaval des Animaux (Carnival of Animals), Habanaise, Six Études pour la main gauche seule (Six Practice Pieces for the Left Hand), and other works vitalizing the French music scene. He was followed by Debussy, Ravel, and the unique genius Satie. Debussy was inspired by French symbolist poets of the time. He composed Chanson oublie (Ariettes oublieés) and Fétes galantes based on Verlaine's poems, five songs based on Baudelaire's work, and one of his most famous works, Prélude á l'aprés-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), based on Mallarmé's poems. With the advent of the 20th century, young Ravel entered the scene, delivering treasures like Bolero and the Shéhérazade song cycle. Yet, it was Satie who went beyond such mainstream classical music with his unique perspective and philosophy, building the mainstay of contemporary music. Playing live piano in cafés and bars, resenting his unlucky fate, Satie relentlessly composed works like Trois Sarabandes (Three Sarabands) and Gymnopédies. His peerless talent was finally discovered by Jean Cocteau, and social recognition followed for his gift as a composer. Parade, a ballet collaboration with Cocteau, depicted the disparity between circus performers and life of ordinary citizens. Picasso designed the costumes and Apollinaire used the term "Surrealism" for the first time in history, in the preface that he wrote for the official production pamphlet.