After the success of last month’s concert featuring South African saxophonist Adam Campbell and Filipina pianist Mariel Ilusorio, Les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursdays) returns this November as a tribute to one of France’s greatest musicians, Charles Aznavour.
Last October 1, France mourned the loss of one of its most acclaimed singers and composers. Known to the English-speaking world as the “Frank Sinatra of France,” Charles Aznavour was born in Paris to Armenian parents on May 22, 1924. His musical career took off at a global scale in 1946, where his talents for singing and songwriting were discovered by Edith Piaf.
Aznavour is remembered fondly for the poetry in the lyrics of his songs, his unique vibrato, and his rich storytelling of emotions and magnetic stage presence. With a career spanning over 70 years, Aznavour 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.
This month, French and Filipino musicians will come together for the second edition of Les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursdays) to pay tribute to this legendary French artist. 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.”
The second Les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursdays) takes place on November 22, 2018, 7:00pm at the Alliance Française de Manille, 209 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel-Air II, Makati City. Free entrance. RSVP at lesjeudisculturels@gmail.com or 857-6920.
Les Jeudis culturels (Cultural Thursdays) is your new monthly cultural rendez-vous organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and the Alliance Française de Manille. 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.
