Pierre Bernac was born as Pierre Bertin on 12 January 1899.

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

Bernac died on 17 October 1979.