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It can be said that his “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” (1894) is the first musical work that truly belongs  to the Twentieth Century; and his opera, Peleas and Melisande (started 1893, but not completed until 1902), charted new operatic waters – eschewing the aria and the big scene; instead using almost conversational understatement in front of sublimely delicate orchestration, and using a sound stage to suggest the drama and ultimate tragedy.

It can be said that his “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” (1894) is the first musical work that truly belongs  to the Twentieth Century; and his opera, Peleas and Melisande (started 1893, but not completed until 1902), charted new operatic waters – eschewing the aria and the big scene; instead using almost conversational understatement in front of sublimely delicate orchestration, and using a sound stage to suggest the drama and ultimate tragedy.

In his younger days he had studied in Rome as a winner of the Prix de Rome, and had twice visited Wagner’s Bayreuth (which had coloured his early works such as certain songs and the String Quartet.) In 1889 he heard some Balinese music in Paris, and this was to color many of his works. (He was not alone – the Balinese gamelan features in the music of a number of European composers of the early Twentieth Century. Ravel and Percy Grainger are two.)

In his younger days he had studied in Rome as a winner of the Prix de Rome, and had twice visited Wagner’s Bayreuth (which is apparent in some early works such as certain songs and the String Quartet.) In 1889 he heard some Balinese music in Paris, and this was to color many of his works. (He was not alone – the Balinese gamelan features in the music of a number of European composers of the early Twentieth Century. Ravel and Percy Grainger are two.)

Debussy’s main output consists of orchestral pieces, piano works and songs. (He did work on other operatic projects but did not finish them.) His orchestral pieces are mainly descriptive (at least suggestive) with the most notable being "La Mer" - however a number of others: “Sacred and Profane Dances”, “Sirens”, “Images”, “Nuages” “Iberia”, and his ballet, “Jeux”, are frequently enjoyed for their tonal colour and range of orchestral expression. Later stage works, such as “The Martyrdom of St, Sebastian” were completed by others.

Debussy’s main output consists of orchestral pieces, piano works and songs. (He did work on other operatic projects but did not finish them.) His orchestral pieces are mainly descriptive (at least suggestive) with the most notable being "La Mer" - however a number of others: “Sacred and Profane Dances”, “Sirens”, “Images”, “Nuages” “Iberia”, and his ballet, “Jeux”, are frequently enjoyed for their tonal colour and range of orchestral expression. Later stage works, such as “The Martyrdom of St, Sebastian” were completed by others.