Charles Aznavour has sung for nearly everyone you can think of — popes, presidents and millions of fans since he began performing in 1946.
Except for audiences in the UAE, that is.
He adds that pin to his map of global performances on February 12, when the French singer makes his Dubai debut, aged 91, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Calling Aznavour a “French singer”, however, is like calling Beyonce a former member of a girl band. Having written over a thousand songs, including the classics She and La Boheme (which he performs at every show), he’s worked with everyone in the business, from Frank Sinatra to Edith Piaf, who gave him his start in the industry; now not only has he just released a new album, he’s already working on the next. Ever popular in France, young rappers there are now sampling him.
'Most of the time I write what no one else has written before. I’m not afraid of words; I like to shock the audience,' says Charles Aznavour. Supplied
Ahead of his much-awaited performance, Aznavour (born to Armenian parents in Paris) reveals what we can expect from his show, what he’s working on and how he sees himself as a nonagenarian performer.
How are you feeling at the moment?
I’m in top form because I love to work and the love that my audience gives me makes me happy, which keeps me strong. This is my life, this is how it’s always been, and I have no intention of changing at my age.
More and more artists are continuing to work into their later years. Why do you continue to perform when you could be putting your feet up?
It’s because I’m too young to retire and I am not ready to say goodbye to my audience yet. I often hear ‘I’m leaving the stage because I don’t want to end like an old singer.’ Interesting statement! At what age and for what amount in your bank account do you become an ‘old singer’? Personally, I don’t know and I believe that the problem is not age, but fear. Going on tour, I asked myself, ‘Can I sing for two hours without intermission? And my voice? Does it sound like before? Will the audience be happy?’. The doubts come into my head, but they are not enough to crush my optimism.
Look around, yes sure, I’m the oldest but I’m not the only one who is ready to carry on. Singers like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ray Charles to artists like Picasso, Renoir and Monet and actors like Michel Bouquet, Suzanne Flon and Jean Piat are extraordinary individuals who have created masterpieces beyond their seventies.
This is your first time performing in the UAE. Why did it take so long for you to come here?
Previously, the opportunity to perform here had not presented itself and I am always excited to perform in a new place — especially in a city like Dubai, which is full of life. When my producers mentioned a UAE performance to our Lebanese promoter [with whom we worked this summer in Lebanon], he connected us with Dubai World Trade Centre and a deal was signed to perform in Dubai. This often happens, when you give a good performance in one country, producers are interested in replicating the success elsewhere. For example, I did two concerts in Moscow and one in Saint Petersburg the same year. In the last two years, I also did three concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, which sold out. Let’s hope it will be the same in the UAE.
Tell us what to expect from your performance. Is this part of a tour or do you change the set list for each performance?
My song list is different in every country; of course, the classic songs cannot be omitted but I will choose the language for my audience, as I sing in eight languages. In each country audiences expect specific songs that have a special meaning for them and I try to please them as much as I can. Of course, I always try to add a couple of new songs. In this instance they are from my latest album, Encores. I believe this is how new songs become classics one day.
I understand you always sing La Boheme. Why is this? Do you ever feel like you don’t want to?
My public loves the song and because I love my public I want to please them. La Boheme is a beautiful song that I wrote with Jacques Plante, a very talented and dear friend of mine. Each one of my songs tells a story, and La Boheme is all about relationships and emotions.
Tell us about how your Armenian background influences your music.
My Armenian background doesn’t influence my music directly but the values, the education my parents gave me, and my cultural heritage is unconsciously reflected in my work. I grew up surrounded by Armenian, French, American, Russian, Turkish, Greek, and South American music and poetry, not forgetting jazz. It is fantastic for a young boy who wants to become a writer to have all these influences around him. Personally, as a lyrics writer, I feel that French is an amazing language for song and poetry.
You have written so many songs. What is your process for writing, and have you written anything recently?
I always write the lyrics first, then the music. Most of the time I write what no one else has written before. I’m not afraid of words; I like to shock the audience. I’m a free man and writer and I will stay free for the rest of my life. Last June, I released my 51st album Encores and in January, I’m starting to record my new album to be released in May 2016.
Is there anyone in music at the moment that you would like to work with?
Not at the moment... I love to work alone. At different times in my career I have had three important composers — Pierre Roche, Gilbert Becaud and, most important of all, George Garvarentz with whom I wrote numerous songs, many of which have became classic songs over the years. However, when I notice young talented artists I often accept to duet with them when they ask me. Recently with Zaz we recorded my song J’aime Paris au mois de Mai and as I think she is the most talented of her generation I even wrote her a song. On my last album I’ve recorded a duet with Benjamin Clementine of You’ve Got To Learn. On the new French scene, I also like Stromae.
You knew Edith Piaf. This year is the centenary of her birth. What is your strongest memory of her?
Too many to put in this interview, but mainly as an incredibly instinctive and talented artist, who broke boundaries with the choice of her songs, her stage presence, her interpretation with that unique and irreplaceable voice. She was also very funny. I spent eight years with her and it lasted that long because we were friends not lovers. The amazing thing is that Piaf is more known and appreciated today than when she was alive.
You’ve been involved in French politics in some form for several years. Who has your vote at the moment? What are the issues that concern you most in France at the moment, and what do you see as a solution?
I have never been involved in politics and I never will, but when I am asked to help for charitable causes, for French or Armenian needs, I always try my best to fit it in my schedule, but I truly I prefer to stay away from any kind of politics.
Don’t miss it!
Charles Aznavour performs at Dubai World Trade Centre on February 12. Tickets, Dh295-895, at platinumlist.net. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show begins at 8.30pm.
