By Roy Mabasa
The French Embassy in Manila and the Alliance Française de Manille are jointly sponsoring “les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursday) to pay tribute to one of France’s greatest musicians, Charles Aznavour.
Charles Aznavour (AP)
Known to the English-speaking world as the “Frank Sinatra of France,” Aznavour is fondly remembered for the poetry in the lyrics of his songs, his unique vibrato, and his rich storytelling of emotions and magnetic stage presence.
Born in Paris to Armenian parents on May 22, 1924, Aznavour passed away on October 1.
The French musician has written more than 1,200 songs in French, English, Armenian, Spanish, and other languages sold more than 180-million records and starred in over 60 films in a career that spanned for more than seven decades.
It was the national chanteuse and legendary French singer Edith Piaf who discovered Aznavour's talent for singing and songwriting.
The Les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursdays) will take place on November 22, 2018, 7:pm at the Alliance Française de Manille in Makati City.
Filipino singers Christine Carlos, Niko Maka, and Marvin Gayramon, and French jazz artist Eric Soulard, accompanied by the Hydroproject Jazz Quartet, will perform Aznavour’s most beloved chansons in English and in French, such as “La Bohème,” “Tous les visages du monde” (“She”), “Sur ma vie” (“On My Life”). “Je me voyais déjà” (“It Will Be My Day”), “Comme ils disent” (“As They Say”), and “For me, formidable.”
This is the second time the French Embassy will be holding the Cultural Thursday event. Last month, it featured South African saxophonist Adam Campbell and Filipina pianist Murial Ilusorio.
The French Embassy said a special cultural event will take place each month to celebrate the French’ “art de vivre" and highlight cultural collaborations between France and the Philippines through music, theater, dance, poetry, gastronomy, and various other art forms.