Aznavour Charles(real name Shamruz Varenag Aznavuryan) (b. May 22, 1924, Paris), French singer-chansonnier, poet, composer, actor.
Born into a family of Armenian emigrants. The parents of the future outstanding French singer emigrated from Russia in the early 1920s. Having traveled all over Europe, we ended up in Paris, where we were delayed while waiting for a visa to the USA. But at this time their son was born, as a result the Aznavourian family settled in France. The boy was given the Armenian name Shamruz Varenag, but for convenience they began to call him Charles in French. Charles's father (originally from Georgia) tried to engage in business, even ran a small restaurant, which he was forced to close due to lack of funds in 1930. The family lived hard. Little Charles managed to study at school for only a couple of years. Already at the age of nine he performed in small Parisian cafes and even theaters. He inherited his acting abilities mainly from his mother, a former actress (born in Turkey). During World War II, Charles managed to continue his performances in occupied Paris and thereby feed his family (his father volunteered for the front).
He began composing songs in the early 1940s. In 1941 he met Pierre Roche, with whom he began performing in cabaret after the war. Soon I met famous singer Edith Piaf, years of close communication with whom gave a lot to the aspiring singer. The song “Jezebel” (Jezebel), specially written for her by Charles, enjoyed great success in Piaf’s repertoire, but the song “Je Hais les Dimanches” (I Hate Sundays), brilliantly performed by Juliette Greco, was even more popular. Charles's songs began to be performed by other talented chansonniers: Gilbert Becaud, Patasha and others. The song "J" ai bu", recorded by Georges Ulmer, was awarded the Grand Prix as the best disc of 1947. In 1945, Aznavour wrote the song "Compagnons de la" for Piaf Chanson" (Friends of Chanson), which gave the name to the ensemble "Companion de la chanson", in which she, along with Aznavouroi and Roche, performed on a tour of America and Canada.
In 1950, Pierre Roche emigrated to Canada, Charles began performing alone, “plucking off” the tip of his last name. Charles Aznavour - this is how his stage name now sounded, which is now known throughout the world. In 1954, he first achieved success as a singer, performing his song “Sur ma vie” (My Life) in the USA, and the following year, performing for the first time on the famous stage of the Parisian concert hall Olympia failed. The criticism was unanimous: Aznavour does not have the vocal or external qualities necessary for a singer.
Success came to the singer two years after his performance at the Alhambra; by 1954 he was the author of more than 30 hit songs. In 1955, he first appeared in films, and in 1960, after F. Truffaut’s film “Shoot the Pianist” was released (Aznavour played the role of a cabaret pianist in it), the singer was recognized as a talented film actor. Subsequently, he successfully starred with such prominent film directors as Claude Chabrol (The Hatter's Ghosts, 1982), Volker Schlöndorff (American Rat, 1963, The Tin Drum, 1979), Claude Lelouch (Edith and Marcel, 1983 ).
In 1956, Aznavour recorded several hits at once: “Sa jeunesse” (This youth), “Parce que” (Because), “Sur ma vie”, “Apres l'amour” (After love).
The fame of the singer overshadowed the fame of the actor. When a short man in a modest gray suit appeared on stage, the audience forgot themselves, his singing was so soulful and passionate.
In 1963, Aznavour performed with great success at New York's Carnegie Hall. In 1964 he first went on tour to Soviet Union, where I visited my grandmother, who had lived all this time in a small village near Yerevan. By this time, more than a million discs of “La mamma” (Mama) had been sold.
Aznavour began to be called “the best French blues singer”, “the French Frank Sinatra”. In 1965 Charles performed for 12 weeks with his solo concert at the Olympia, accompanied by the Paul Mauriat orchestra. In December, his first operetta “Monsieur Carnaval” (M-sieur Carnival) was staged in Paris; the result of this work was the new hit “La boheme” (Boheme). In 1967, Aznavour married for the second time (the first marriage was not very successful) to a girl on the Ulla estate, with whom he had three children.
In 1971, at the Venice Film Festival, the main prize "Golden Lion" was awarded to Andre Caillat's film "Dying of Love", for which Aznavour wrote a song under the same name and performed it himself. This song became a real hit.
In 1972-1973 gives concerts at Olympia, performs with his old partner Pierre Roche, who specially came from Canada to Paris. At the same time, Aznavour wrote the song “Comme ils disent” (As they say), in which he touched on the delicate topic of homosexuality.
In the winter of 1973, a skiing accident forced Charles to remain immobile for several months, but he did not stop working. As a result, the operetta “Douchka” was born, and its premiere took place in the United States in the fall.
In 1973 in London, Aznavour's song “She” was awarded a gold and then a platinum disc - an award never before given to a Frenchman. In 1974, the disc “This Evening Aznavour: His Past and Present” was recorded, which included best songs Aznavour.
In the 1970s Aznavour is increasing his success. Constant performances, foreign tours. In the songs “Voilа que tu reviens”, (Here you come back), “Merci madam la vie” (Thank you, Madame life), full of love and tenderness, Aznavour reminded of the inexorable passage of time. In 1977, the song “Camarade” (Comrade) appeared, which immediately took the top line in the charts. Released in 1978 new album Aznavour entitled “Je n"ai pas vu le temps passe” (I do not know the past), which included both old and new songs. In these songs Aznavour managed to convey feelings sincerely and temperamentally an ordinary person, which found a response in everyone’s heart.
In 1981, on the fortieth anniversary of active creative activity the singer recorded the album “Charles Aznavour chante Dimey”. By this time, Aznavour had already written more than 1000 songs. But the singer was not going to calm down. In 1986, a new album “Aznavour” was released, which included “Embrasse-moi” (Hug me), “Les emigrants” (Emigrants), “Deja” (Already), etc.
In November 1987 he performed at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, and a little later his double live album. After the devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, he organized a relief fund, and then the Aznavour and Armenia association, of which he is still president. In 1989, the singer came to Armenia to support those affected by a natural disaster. Millions of copies of the disc with Aznavour’s song “For You, Armenia” were instantly sold out. All proceeds went to the relief fund.
In 1991, the singer’s book of memoirs, “Words from a Poster,” was published, which to some extent summed up the path Aznavour had traveled. At the end of 2000 - beginning of 2001. His concerts took place, completing his performances on the stage. In November 2000, the great chansonnier, who by that time was 76 years old, was appointed Minister of Culture of France.
Charles Aznavour(fr. Charles Aznavour, Armenian Շառլ Ազնավուր; genus. May 22, 1924 in Paris) - an outstanding French chansonnier and actor Armenian origin. Real name - Shahnur Vakhinak Aznavuryan (Armenian: Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրյան).
A somewhat distorted version of the middle name is often found - Varinag, due to the incorrect French spelling - Varenagh. Being one of the most popular performers in France, he is also well known far beyond its borders. Since May 5, 2009, he has been the Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland and the country's permanent representative at the UN headquarters.
To date, Aznavour has created approximately 1,000 songs, played in 60 films and sold more than 100 million discs. According to a joint poll by TIME magazine and CNN (1998), Aznavour was recognized as the best pop performer XX century.
He permanently resides in Switzerland, but still continues to consider himself an Armenian.
Biography
Born into a family of Armenian emigrants who left for France in 1922. The father, who was half Georgian and half Armenian, was born in Akhaltsikhe, Tiflis province of the Russian Empire. (Aznavour’s paternal grandfather was the governor’s cook in Tiflis). Aznavour's mother came from an Armenian merchant family who lived in Turkey.
He studied at the children's artistic school, and later at the TSF central school (Paris). From the age of 9 he sang and played on stage, and already in 1936 he made his film debut. Aznavour initially performed in a duet with composer Pierre Roche. Both were noticed by Edith Piaf, and in 1946 Aznavour and Roche took part in her tour of France and the USA. From this time Aznavour's professional career as a chansonnier began. However, a decisive breakthrough on musical Olympus occurred in 1956, after successful concerts in Casablanca and Paris, where famous hall For a long time he performed at Olympia three times a day. In the early 1960s, Aznavour gave concerts in New York's Carnegie Hall and Ambassador Hotel, and later released his first American album on Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records. Aznavour wrote more than a thousand songs, performed by himself, as well as by Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Liza Minnelli, Julio Iglesias and others. Aznavour performed in a duet with Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, L. Pavarotti, P. Domingo, P. Kaas, L. Minnelli, E. Segara and others.
Aznavour is the author of music for the operettas “Monsieur Carnaval” (1965), “Douchka” (co-author, 1973) and “Lotrek” (2004).
Among the world famous songs Aznavour - “La Boheme”, “Mother”, “ Eternal love"", "Unfashionable joys", "Youth", "Yesterday", "Isabella", "She", "As they say", "Ave Maria", "No, I haven't forgotten anything", "I already imagined", " Because”, “Two Guitars”, “Carry Me Away”, “You Must Be able to”, “To Die for Love”, etc.
In 2006, 82-year-old Aznavour went to Cuba, where, together with Chucho Valdez, he wrote the album “Color Ma Vie”, which was released on February 19, 2007. The world premiere of the new songs took place in Moscow, where Aznavour gave his only concert on April 20, 2007.
Connection with Armenia
For the 60th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Aznavour and his constant collaborator Georges Garvarents wrote the song “They Fell.” His songs “Autobiography”, “Jan” and “Tender Armenia” were also written on Armenian themes. Aznavour and his daughter Seda performed “Ashkharums” by Sayat-Nova in Armenian.
Aznavour’s connection with his historical homeland does not end there: in 1988, after the earthquake in Spitak, he founded the charity association “Aznavour for Armenia” and organized several events to raise assistance for the victims - in particular, about 90 French singers and actors took part in the recording of a video clip "For you, Armenia." Aznavour is the honorary ambassador of Armenia to UNESCO. During his lifetime, a square in Yerevan was named after Aznavour, and a monument to him was erected in the Armenian city of Gyumri.
Moreover, on December 26, 2008, Charles Aznavour became a citizen of Armenia. President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree conferring citizenship not only on Aznavour, but also on his impresario Levon Sayan.
Literature
In 2007, Charles Aznavour published the book “Mon pere, ce geant” in the publishing house Flammarion Quebec, which a year later was published in the Moscow publishing house “RIPOL Classic” in a small edition (3000 copies) under the title “My Dad is a Giant” (translation - N.A. Svetovidova). This is not the musician's first experience in fiction: two autobiographies of Aznavour, as well as collections of the lyrics of his songs, were previously published. The book includes 16 short sketches of everyday life, memoirs, pseudobiographical, journalistic and fantastic nature. Thus, the 83-year-old singer declared himself as an extraordinary writer.
Acting career
Aznavour also regularly acts in films: he appeared on screen in more than 60 films, collaborating with such directors as Rene Clair, Claude Chabrol, Claude Lelouch. The most famous films with Aznavour’s participation are “The Testament of Orpheus” by Jean Cocteau (1960), “Shoot the Pianist” by Francois Truffaut (1960), “The Tin Drum” by Volker Schlöndorff (1979), and also “Crossing the Rhine” (1960), Taxi to Tobruk, Horace 62, The Devil and the Ten Commandments, Paris in August (1966), Kanday and the Last Adventurers (Hollywood, 1969), The Time of the Wolves (1970), Yes long live life" (1984), "Paris" (multi-episode TV show, 1985), detective series "Chinese". In 1974, Aznavour wrote the leitmotif “She” (later a British hit No. 1) for the television series “The Seven Faces of a Woman,” and in the famous Soviet political action film “Tehran-43” (1981) the hit “Eternal Love” by Aznavour and Garvarents sounds. Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat” (2002), dedicated to the Armenian genocide in 1915, occupies a place in Aznavour’s acting work.
Aznavour also participated in the first season of The Muppet Show.
From an interview with the Russian Bazaar newspaper:
I don't dedicate my songs to anyone. Not Edith Piaf, not my wife, not my children. Never. ... My songs are another part of my life. My personal life is one thing, and my work is another.
Personal life
He married for the first time on March 16, 1946, to Micheline Rügel, for the second time, on October 28, 1955, to Evelyn Plessis, and for the third time, on January 11, 1967, to the Swede Ulla Thorsel.
Children - Seda (Patricia, b. 1946), Patrick (b. 1956, died at the age of 25), from the last marriage - Katya (b. 1969), Misha (b. 1971), Nicolas (b. 1977).
About him
“You will conquer the world because you know how to excite” (Charles de Gaulle).
“Charles Aznavour is the greatest dramatic talent. He immediately captivates a person. He is the greatest in his art" (Maurice Chevalier).
“This voice, which seems to be on the verge of catastrophe and can become hoarse and fall silent at any time, the majestic voice of a mountaineer suffering from shortness of breath, but courageously conquering the peak, the dull and torn voice of a wounded bird, dropping wondrous songs of love onto the stage along with its feathers, this Stradivarius writhing in agony, this voice of a seemingly extinct volcano, which pours out words rather to the heart than to the ear... is heard all over the world” (Yves Salg).
“In addition, Aznavour is a brilliant singer, he is also a wonderful person, a great patriot, I respect such people!” (Joseph Kobzon).
Awards and titles
1971 — Gold medal city of Paris.
1971 - “Golden Lion” at the Venice Film Festival.
1971 - Edison Prize.
1973 - laureate of the Charles Cros Academy.
1987 - Bernard Lacache Prize.
1995 - Grand Medal of French Song (French Academy).
1996 - Aznavour's name is inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1997 - Victoria Prize ( best singer year).
1997 - honorary Cesar.
1997 - Officer of the Legion of Honor.
2004 - Commander of the Legion of Honor
2004 - the highest state award of Armenia - the title “National Hero of Armenia” and the Order of the Fatherland.
2006 - honorary prize at the 30th Cairo Film Festival.
2008 - Officer of the Order of Canada - in recognition of his activities in strengthening cultural relations French-speaking countries and Canada.
2010 - badge of honor “For outstanding contribution to strengthening cultural ties between Russia and France.”
Discography
The main discography of Charles Aznavour
Selected filmography
1958 - Head against the wall
1959 - Oh, what a mambo! (French) Russian - cameo
1960 — Testament of Orpheus
1960 - Shoot the pianist
1960 - Crossing the Rhine
1960 - Taxi to Tobruk
1962 - The Devil and the Ten Commandments
1963 - Look for an idol
1964 - One hundred bricks and tiles
1968 - Sweet tooth
1971 - The Lion's Share
1976 - Sky Riders
1979 - Tin Drum
1982 - Magic Mountain
1982 - Hatter's Ghosts
1982 - Who is David running from? (French) Russian / Qu’est-ce qui fait courir David? — Leon
1983 - Edith and Marcel - cameo, uncredited
1987 - Nail Eater
2002 - Ararat
Autobiographies
Aznavour about Aznavour (1970),
Time of the Advanced (“Past and Present”) (2004).
Movies
“Charles Aznavour, Armenia 1989” directed by Levon Mkrtchyan
Songs
La Boheme: 1980, 2004, Spanish.
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour (French: Charles Aznavour; Armenian: Շառլ Ազնավուր). Real name - Shahnur Vakhinak Aznavuryan (Armenian: Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրյան). Born May 22, 1924 in Paris - died October 1, 2018 in Paris. French crooner, composer, poet, film actor of Armenian origin.
Shahnur Aznavourian, who became widely known as Charles Aznavour, was born on May 22, 1924 in Paris into an Armenian family.
Father - Mamigon Misha Aznavuryan, half Georgian, half Armenian, singer (baritone), originally from Akhaltsikhe, Tiflis province.
Mother - Kiar Baghdasaryan, had Armenian and Turkish roots, from a merchant family, an actress by profession. Her entire family was slaughtered during the Armenian genocide in Turkey.
My paternal grandfather was the governor's cook in Tiflis.
Aznavour's ancestors emigrated from Georgia and settled in the capital of France in 1922.
After the Aznavour family settled in Paris, they rented a small apartment on the second floor of house number 36 on rue Monsieur-le-Prince, in the very center of the Latin Quarter. Charles and his sister slept on a cot. In the first years of emigration, my father, who had a good voice, made money by performing at holidays, weddings, and fairs. As Charles said, he always sang in public with eyes closed- he himself later adopted this manner from him.
The family lived poorly, but hospitably; their house was always full of guests. Charles remembered for the rest of his life how touchingly his father treated his mother and always took care of her. “We were happy without any special benefits, comforts or things - nothing but ourselves, laughter and mutual love,” he recalled.
Little Charles's main entertainment was cinema, incl. he also fell in love with Soviet films, the names of which he remembered for the rest of his life - “Lenin in October”, “Battleship Potemkin”, “The Youth of Maxim”. He recalled that although he did not understand the text, he liked to watch how the actors played emotionally.
WITH early years worked - at one time he traded with his father at the city market. Later, my father got a job as the manager of a small cafe in the heart of Paris - on Rue Cardinal Lemoine. Opposite was a theater school where they taught skills acting and singing, and in the evenings they gave performances. And Charles became a frequent visitor to this small theater. Then, at the age of 9, he himself became a participant in productions.
He made his film debut in 1936 in one of the extras.
However, the main thing for him was singing. Aznavour initially performed in a duet with composer Pierre Roche. They were both noticed, and in 1946 Aznavour and Roche took part in her tour of France and the USA. From this time Aznavour's professional career as a chansonnier began.
Edith Piaf forced him to get a nose job. He recalled: “I still don’t understand what about my nose irritated her so much? My nose is like a nose... But at Edith’s insistence I had to go to the outstanding (as she introduced him) American plastic surgeon Irving Goldman, who supposedly performed miracles on faces Hollywood stars. I didn’t even become indignant - I trudged unsteadily to the clinic and came out a few hours later with a sticker covering half my face... A few days later, having removed the patch, I returned from America to Paris and... Edith didn’t recognize me. The operation changed my life dramatically. Thanks to her, I believed that from now on I would dare to sing love ballads, which I had previously written on request for other singers."
By the way, there were rumors about their romance, but Aznavour himself noted that they were connected by “something like a loving friendship, alliance, brotherhood, but we were never in the same bed.”
Truly widespread fame came to him in 1956 - after successful concerts in Casablanca and Paris, where he performed three times a day for a long time in the famous Olympia Hall.
In the early 1960s, Aznavour gave concerts in New York's Carnegie Hall and Ambassador Hotel, and later released his first American album on Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records. Aznavour wrote more than a thousand songs, performed by himself, as well as by Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Liza Minnelli, Julio Iglesias and others.
Aznavour performed in a duet with Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Patricia Kaas, Liza Minnelli, Hélène Segara, Mireille Mathieu and others.
Charles Aznavour and Mireille Mathieu - Eternal Love
Among Aznavour’s world-famous songs are “Bohemia”, “Mother”, “Eternal Love”, “Unfashionable Joys”, “Youth”, “Yesterday”, “Isabella”, “She”, “As They Say”, “Ave Maria” ”, “No, I haven’t forgotten anything”, “I already imagined”, “Because”, “Two Guitars”, “Carry Me Away”, “You Must Be able to”, “To Die for Love”, etc.
He also gained fame as a film actor. He worked with such directors as Rene Clair, Claude Chabrol, Claude Lelouch. The most famous films with the participation of Aznavour are “The Testament of Orpheus” by Jean Cocteau, “Shoot the Pianist” by Francois Truffaut, “The Tin Drum” by Volker Schlöndorff, “Crossing the Rhine”, “Taxi to Tobruk”, “Horace 62”, “The Devil and the Ten” Commandments”, “Paris in August”, “Kandai and the Last Adventurers”, “Time of Wolves”, “The Magic Mountain”, “Ten Little Indians”, “Long Live Life”, “Paris”, detective series “Chinese”.
Charles Aznavour in the film "Shoot the Pianist"
Charles Aznavour in the film "Ten Little Indians"
Charles Aznavour in the film "The Magic Mountain"
Aznavour participated in the first season of The Muppet Show.
In 1974, Aznavour wrote the theme song "She" (later a British No. 1 hit) for the television series The Seven Faces of a Woman.
In the famous Soviet political detective story "Tehran-43" the hit of Aznavour and Garvarents "Life in Love" is heard. Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat,” dedicated to the Armenian genocide in 1915, occupies a special place in Aznavour’s acting work.
Charles Aznavour in the film "Ararat"
Maintains ties with his historical homeland. For the 60th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Aznavour and his constant collaborator Georges Garvarents wrote the song “They Fell.” His songs “Autobiography”, “Jan” and “Tender Armenia” were also written on Armenian themes. Aznavour and his daughter Seda performed “Ashkharums” by Sayat-Nova in Armenian.
In 1988, after the earthquake in Spitak, he founded the charitable association “Aznavour for Armenia” and organized several events to raise assistance for the victims.
Aznavour is the honorary ambassador of Armenia to UNESCO. During his lifetime, a square in Yerevan was named after Aznavour, and a monument to him was erected in the Armenian city of Gyumri. National hero of the Republic of Armenia.
In 2006, 82-year-old Aznavour, in Cuba, together with Chucho Valdez, wrote the album “Color Ma Vie”, which was released on February 19, 2007. The world premiere of the new songs took place in Moscow, where Aznavour gave his only concert on April 20, 2007.
On October 3, 2014, at the age of 90, Charles Aznavour performed in Moscow - at Crocus City Hall. The two-hour concert was sold out.
On April 25, 2018, Charles Aznavour was hospitalized in St. Petersburg, and therefore the concert was canceled and rescheduled to April 9, 2019.
Charles Aznavour's height: 160 centimeters.
Personal life of Charles Aznavour:
Was married three times. Has six children.
First wife: Micheline Rugel. He married her on March 16, 1946. In a marriage that lasted just over five years, a daughter, Seda (born May 21, 1947), and a son, Charles (born in 1952), were born.
Daughter Seda Aznavour is a famous French-Armenian singer and artist.
Seda Aznavour - daughter of Charles Aznavour
Second wife - Evelyn Plessis. The marriage produced a son, Patrick (1956-1981).
Aznavour called his first two marriages a mistake of his youth.
Charles Aznavour and second wife Evelyn Plessis
The third wife is Ulle Thorsel, Swedish. They got married on January 11, 1967. The couple had their wedding in Las Vegas, and upon arrival in France they also got married in Armenian Church. The singer said: “It is impossible to get married and force her to be exactly the same as you. It is necessary to seek and find compromises, constantly choose how to live and think. It is especially important how to think. For me it is not difficult - I saw how my parents. Although, of course, it was easier for them - both mother and father are Armenians, although from different countries: Father is from Georgia, and mother is from Turkey. I am French of Armenian descent, my parents belonged to the Armenian church, and Ulla is Swedish from a Protestant family. But this does not bother us; among Protestants everything is correct and straightforward. It’s not customary for them to think one thing and say another - I like this trait of her character.”
The third marriage produced three children: daughter Katya (born 1969), as well as sons Misha (born 1971) and Nicolas (born 1977).
Son Misha Aznavour - French writer, actor, poet, singer and musician.
Filmography of Charles Aznavour:
1958 - Head against the wall (Tête contre les murs, La)
1959 - Minesweepers (Dragueurs, Les) - Joseph
1959 - Shoot the pianist (Tirez sur le pianiste) - Charlie Kohler and Edouard Saroyan
1959 - Why do you come home so late? (Pourquoi viens-tu si tard?)
1960 - Taxi to Tobruk (Un taxi pour Tobrouk) - Samuel Goldmann
1960 - Crossing the Rhine (Passage du Rhin, Le) - Roger
1960 - Testament of Orpheus (Testament d "Orphée, Le) (uncredited)
1961 - Lions on the loose (Lions sont lâchés, Les) - Charles (uncredited)
1961 - Horace 62 (Horace 62) - Horace Fabiani
1962 - Why Paris? (Pourquoi Paris?)
1962 - The Devil and the Ten Commandments (Diable et les dix commandements, Le) - Denis Mox
1963 - Greetings from Zurich (Grüsse aus Zürich)
1963 - American Rat (Rat Trap)
1965 - Tom the Impostor (Thomas l "imposteur)
1965 - The Transformation of Woodlice (La Métamorphose des cloportes)
1965 - Look for an idol (Cherchez l "idole)
1968 - Sweet Tooth (Candy)
1969 - Adventurers (The) - Marcel Campion
1970 - The Games
1970 - Time of the Wolves (Le temps des loups) - Kramer, Police Commissioner
1971-1974 - Saturday evening (Samedi soir)
1971 - A Beautiful Monster (Un beau monstre) - Leroy, Inspector
1971 - The Lion's Share (Part des lions, La)
1973 - The Blockhouse
1974 - Ten Little Indians (Ein Unbekannter rechnet ab) - Michael Raven
1976-1981 - Muppet Show, The
1976 - Sky Riders - Nikolidis, inspector
1976 - Follies of the bourgeoisie (Folies bourgeoises)
1979 - Tin Drum (Blechtrommel, Die) - episode
1981 - Who makes David fuss? (Qu"est-ce qui fait courir David?) - Leon
1982 - The Hatter's Ghosts (Les Fantômes du chapelier)
1982 - The Magic Mountain (Zauberberg, Der) - Nafta
1983 - Edith and Marcel (Édith et Marcel) - episode (uncredited)
1984 - Long live life! (Viva la vie!) - Edouar Takvoryan
1988 - Mangeclous - Jeremy
1989 - The Chinese (Chinois, Le) - Charles Cotrel, nicknamed "The Chinese"
1989 - Charles Aznavour. Armenia 1989 (documentary)
1990 - Maestro (Il)
2001 - Laguna
2002 - Ararat - Edward Saroyan
2004 - Father Goriot (Père Goriot, Le) - Goriot
2006 - My Colonel (Mon colonel)
Voiced by Charles Aznavour:
1971 - The Selfish Giant (short film)
Charles Aznavour's vocals in films:
1972 - Beaches of Etretat (Galets d "Étretat, Les)
1980 - Tehran 43
Charles Aznavour's works in cinema as a composer:
1957 - Ladies Prefer Mambo (Ces dames préfèrent le mambo)
1962 - The Four Truths (Les Quatre vérités)
1962 - The Devil and the Ten Commandments (Diable et les dix commandements, Le) (uncredited)
1963 - Millet for the birds (Du mouron pour les petits oiseaux)
1967 - Bikini Conspiracy (S.O.S. Conspiración Bikini) - author of the song "Venecia sin tí"
1999 - Notting Hill
2002 - Truth About Charlie (Truth About Charlie, The)
Discography of Charles Aznavour:
1953 - Jezebel
1955 - Le feutre taupe
1956 - Sur ma vie
1957 - Bravos du Music-Hall
1958 - C "est ça
1961 - Je m"voyais déjà
1962 - Il faut savoir
1963 - Qui?
1963 - La mamma
1965 - Hier encore
1965 - Aznavour 65
1966 - La bohème
1966 - De t"avoir aimée
1967 - Entre deux rêves
1967 - Desormais
1972 - Olympia 72 (live)
1972 - Idiote je t"aime
1974 - Visages de l'amour
1976 - Voilà que tu reviens
1977 - Je n"ai pas vu le temps passer
1978 - Olympia 78 (live)
1980 - Autobiographie
1982 - Unpremière danse
1983 - Aznavour et Dimey
1987 - Palais des congrès 1987 (live)
1990 - The old fashioned way
1990 - She
1991 - Aznavour italiano (4 CDs)
1991 - Aznavour chante en espagnol (3 CDs)
1992 - Aznavour 92
1994 - Toi et moi
1995 - Aznavour - Minelli au Palais des Congrès de Paris, 1991 (live)
1995 - Palais des Congrès 1994 (live)
1995 - You and me
1996 - Du und ich
1996 - Roche et Aznavour
1996 - Charles Aznavour au Carnegie Hall, 1995 (live)
1997 - Plus bleu
1998 - Jazznavour
1998 - Olympia 1968 (live)
1998 - Olympia 1980 (live)
1999 - Palais des congrès 97/98 (live)
2000 - Aznavour 2000
2000 - Palais des congrès 2000 (live)
2003 - Je voyage
2004 - Bon anniversaire Charles! (2 CDs)
2005 - Palais des congrès 2004 (live)
2005 - Insolitement vôtre
Bibliography of Charles Aznavour:
1970 - Aznavour about Aznavour
2004 - Past and Future
2015 - In a loud whisper. Autobiography
Charles Aznavour has long been recognized throughout the world as the best pop performer of the last century. The Chansonnier performs his own works and also composes songs for other singers. There are about a thousand known song compositions created by Aznavour. Discs with his recordings are released in millions of copies all over the world. Charles Aznavour, whose songs are heard in many languages, continues to attract attention large number fans.
Sad Pierrot
All song creativity the artist is permeated with an aura of light sadness. Almost all of Aznavour’s works are devoted to the theme of love and emotional experiences. Still at the beginning creative life he noticed that people are always interested lyrical works, based on sadness and melancholy, touching the soul and making the heart tremble. Thanks to your musical tastes, to which Aznavour has remained faithful for more than sixty years, the image of the romantic and sad Pierrot is firmly attached to him.
This year, on May 22, the famous chansonnier turned 90 years old. Charles Aznavour, whose biography began so long ago, celebrated his anniversary on the Berlin stage special program"The legend returns." A week before his birthday, Aznavour sang in Yerevan on the square bearing his name.
The most famous French Armenian
Shahnur Azavuryan (real name of the chansonnier) is the son of Armenian emigrants who were forced to leave their homeland in 1915 to escape the Armenian genocide. In the French manner, the boy soon began to be called Charles.
Aznavour's parents were artists, creative people, so it was not easy for the family in emigration. My father opened a small restaurant “Caucasus” and for several years tried to maintain his position as an entrepreneur, although he did not succeed very well. Aznavour's mother, a theater actress, was forced to become a seamstress.
The Aznavuryan family lived a difficult life, but in the house, where peace and harmony always reigned, the atmosphere was filled with music, poetry, and theater. It is not surprising that little Charles, already at the age of five, performed in front of audiences, playing music on the violin. As he grew a little older, he danced on stage and sang in the church choir.
Acting's hard bread
Aznavour's acting debut took place when Aznavour was only thirteen years old - he had the responsible role of King Henry IV as a child. For many years, the artist vegetated in supporting roles in small boulevard theaters, sang in provincial cinemas during breaks between films.
And only at the age of 19, Charles Aznavour dared to perform at big stage. Unfortunately, a complete failure awaited him. The audience did not accept the small, frail man, who was not distinguished by any special vocal abilities. He was booed by a merciless audience, and critics advised him to choose another occupation. But Charles could no longer imagine his life without music, so he continued to do it anyway.
Meeting with the Muse
Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf met in 1946. Their meeting determined the further creative fate of the artist. The singer was very affectionate towards young man, helping and supporting him in every possible way. Aznavour became an indispensable assistant for her, acting as an entertainer, secretary, personal driver and good friend. Piaf's repertoire included Charles's song "Jezebel" (Isabelle), which enjoyed constant success with the public.
The great Edith was able to discern behind the artist’s modest appearance his rich, great talent and creative charisma. She inspired Aznavour and became a real teacher, a master for him, managing to convey to him her vision of the song and her special creative perception.
The singer himself called their relationship “sweet slavery,” which lasted about eight years. Thanks to this, Aznavour emerged as an independent and strong personality, becoming a full-fledged creator and performer of songs about loneliness and unrequited love.
Success has finally come
Very soon, great fame came to the artist. In 1954, Aznavour won the hearts of American listeners with the song “My Life” (Sur ma vie). Subsequently, the famous French singer performed it for many years and made it his calling card. During this period, the Aznavourian surname lost a small part, and from now on and forever the artist began to call himself Aznavour Charles. The number of songs written independently reached three dozen, and he did not stop there.
Charles Aznavour, singer and composer, also successfully mastered the profession of a film actor, acting for the first time in 1955. He gained fame and recognition for his role as a cabaret pianist in the film “Shoot the Pianist” by French director François Truffaut. Later, Aznavour repeatedly starred with leading directors Jean Cocteau, Claude Chabrol, Volker Schlöndorff.
In 1983, Charles Aznavour, whose film biography was already quite rich, brilliantly played in Claude Lellouche's film Edith and Marcel. The role became special for the artist because it was a love story between Edith Piaf and Marcel Sedan.
In the early 60s, the artist had great success in New York, performing songs at the famous Carnegie Hall. The audience listened, forgetting about everything, to his quiet and soulful voice, singing about the passion and beauty of love. Now Charles Aznavour, whose photo appeared on the covers of numerous magazines and record sleeves, began to be called the singer of French blues. His work was compared with the famous American artist, romantic Frank Sinatra.
Aznavour Charles continued to create songs, many of which became hits: “Sa jeunesse” (“This youth”), “Apres l"amour” (“After love”), “Parce que” (“Because”), “Mourir d "aimer" ("To die of love").
Sweet burden of glory
The year 1965 in Paris was marked by the successful premiere of the operetta Monsieur Carnaval ("Monsieur Carnival"), written by Charles Aznavour. In the same year, the singer gave solo concerts for two months in a row, performing together with the orchestra conducted by Paul Maria. And again continued success. Fame and popularity were now always where Aznavour appeared. Charles was grateful to his fate, always remaining a gentle, modest and reserved person.
The artist's popularity was constantly growing. This was facilitated by regular performances, tours, and recording of new albums. In 1973 in London, Charles Aznavour's song “She” received gold and platinum discs. The event was unheard of at that time, because such high awards had never been given to the French before.
In 1981, the new album “Charles Aznavour chante Dimey” became a kind of result of forty years of creative activity famous singer and composer. The next album named after the author, “Aznavour,” was released to the world in 1986.
In Russia, one of the composer’s most famous songs was “Une Vie D’Amour” (“Eternal Love”), written by the author for the cult film “Tehran 43” (directed by Alov and Naumov). Charles Aznavour and Mireille Mathieu performed this at concerts many times the song was a duet, and the audience always asked to repeat it for an encore.
Armenia - my love
Their Armenian roots the artist always remembers and constantly maintains contact with his historical homeland.
In 1988, Charles Aznavour was one of the first to come to the aid of his fellow countrymen after the Armenian earthquake. He became the organizer of a fund to help victims of natural disasters, which later grew into the Aznavour and Armenia association. Constantly takes part in the construction of schools for Armenian children. Now the singer is the Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland and represents his homeland at the UN headquarters.
Under the roof of the house
Aznavour was never famous for scandals; his life was always hidden from prying eyes. The artist was married three times, although he never had the fame of a ladies' man. From his first marriage, Aznavour has an adult daughter, who is already 67 years old. The singer will soon celebrate his golden wedding with his current wife, Swede Ulla Türsel.
By his own admission, it was his love for a woman that allowed Aznavour to experience the happiest and most dramatic moments. Marriage to Ulla completely changed his life. They had three children born and raised - daughter Katya and two sons: Misha and Nicolas. Since 1977, Aznavour and his family settled in Switzerland.
90 years of life filled with creativity
For the current anniversary of the great chansonnier, a complete collection of his albums, recorded on 32 discs, was released in France. It contains all the author's notes since 1948. Charles Aznavour is still full of strength and energy. He is writing a new album, which will be called “Nostalgia”.
To his many brilliant abilities, Charles Aznavour also added his talent as a writer. He writes novels, continues to work on his biography, and creates notes from his own thoughts, aphorisms and past stories.
According to the great chansonnier, the capricious muse has never left him alone. He constantly creates, being in an eternal search. He draws strength for life from creativity, which is rooted in the Armenian land. This is where his language, songs, musicality come from. The singer, born in France, living in Switzerland, always remains a true patriot Armenia.
French singer-chansonnier, poet, composer and film actor Charles Aznavour (real name Shamrooz Varenag Aznavourian) was born on May 22, 1924 in a family of Armenian emigrants. The birth of his son found his parents, who left the Russian Federation in the early twenties, in Paris, where they lingered waiting for a visa to the States. Ultimately, the Aznavourian family settled in France.
Charles inherited his acting abilities from his mother, who was a former actress. At the age of 5, he was already playing the violin in front of the audience, and at 9, he was performing Russian dances on stage. Around this time, he began singing in the chapel of the local church.
During World War II, his father volunteered for the front. To support his family, Charles performed in small Parisian cafes and theaters in occupied Paris.
He began composing songs in the early forties. In 1941, Aznavour met the aspiring musician Pierre Roche, in a duet with whom he performed in variety shows and nightclubs.
Since 1946 he collaborated with the popular French singer Edith Piaf, toured in Canada and France.
The song Jezebel, specially written for her by Charles, enjoyed enormous success in Piaf’s repertoire, but the song Je Hais les Dimanches, sung by Juliette Greco, was even more popular.
Charles's songs were performed famous chansonniers Gilbert Beko, Patasha and others. The composition J»ai bu, recorded by Georges Ulmer, was awarded the Grand Prix as the best disc of 1947.
In 1950, Pierre Roche emigrated to Canada, and Charles began performing himself under the stage name Charles Aznavour.
In 1954, he achieved success as a singer for the first time, performing his song Sur ma vie in America. By 1954, he had written over thirty hit songs.
In 1956, the musician recorded several hits at once: Sa jeunesse, Parce que, Apres l’amour.
In 1963, the singer performed with great success at New York's Carnegie Hall.
In 1964, he went on tour to the USSR for the first time, where he visited his grandmother, who lived in a small village near Yerevan.
In 1965, Aznavour performed for twelve weeks with his solo concert at the Olympia, accompanied by the Paul Mauriat orchestra.
In December 1965, his first operetta Monsieur Carnaval was staged in Paris, which resulted in a new hit, La boheme. In 1973, he wrote the operetta Douchka, which premiered in the States.
In 1971, the song he performed, written by Aznavour for Andre Caillat’s film “Dying of Love,” became a hit.
In 1972-1973, the chansonnier gave concerts at Olympia, performing with Pierre Roche, who came from Canada to Paris for this.
In 1973 in London, Aznavour's song She was awarded a gold and then a platinum disc - an award that had never before been given to a Frenchman.
In 1977, the song Camarade was released, which topped the charts. In 1978, Aznavour's album entitled Je n'ai pas vu le temps passe was released, which included both old and new compositions.
In 1981, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his active creative activity, the singer recorded the album Charles Aznavour chante Dimey.
In November 1987, he gave a concert at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
In 1988, after the Spitak earthquake, which took thousands of lives, Charles Aznavour created the charitable association Aznavour pour l’Armenie (“Aznavour for Armenia”) and organized several events to help the victims. For one of the events, he invited Henri Vernoy and ninety other French singers and actors, in collaboration with whom he recorded the song “For You, Armenia,” which sold 2 million copies, and shot a video.
In November 2000, Aznavour was appointed Minister of Culture of France. At the same time, he continued to give concerts. In 2002, the artist toured Canada. At the end of 2003, he presented to the world an album of songs called Je voyage. In 2004, shortly before his eightieth birthday, he gave a series of concerts at the Parisian Congress Palace in Paris.
In 2006, the chansonnier organized a charity concert on the main square of the capital of Armenia in the presence of the Presidents of France and Armenia, Jacques Chirac and Robert Kocharyan.
In May 2009, the head of the Armenian state, Serzh Sargsyan, appointed Charles Aznavour as the Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, the permanent representative of the republic to the UN office in Geneva.
In December 2011, Aznavour presented his album “Aznavour Forever” at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
In April last year, at the State Kremlin Palace, he presented the “Eternal Love” program, where the chansonnier sang part of the composition of the same name in Russian.
Aznavour appeared in films for the first time in 1955. In 1960, after the release of Francois Truffaut’s film “Shoot the Pianist,” in which Aznavour played the role of a cabaret pianist, the singer was recognized as a talented film actor. He successfully played roles with such prominent film directors as Claude Chabrol (The Hatter's Ghosts, 1982), Volker Schlöndorff (American Rat, 1963; The Tin Drum, 1979), Claude Lelouch (Edith and Marcel, 1983 ).
In the 2000s, he played leading roles in the films “Ararat” (2002) and “Père Goriot” (2004), as well as roles in the films “The Truth About Charlie” (2002) and “My Colonel” (2006).
In total, the singer starred in more than ninety films, wrote over 1.3 thousand songs (recorded more than 1.4 thousand), which he performed in 8 languages. His CDs and albums have sold over 180 million copies.
Over the years, Aznavour's compositions were sung Ray Charles, Shirley Basie, Liza Minnelli, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
Last year, Charles Aznavour, together with his son Nicolas chansonnier, decided to continue his philanthropic activities by founding the Aznavour Foundation to implement educational, social and cultural programs.
At the end of April this year, Aznavour canceled his performances in the Russian Federation due to unsatisfactory health, after which he returned to Paris.
In May of this year, the singer suffered a double fracture of his left arm. He canceled 5 concerts planned for the summer.
Later, his concert tour took place in Japan.
Aznavour’s work was awarded the “Golden Lion” at the Venice IFF (1971), an honorary “Cesar” (1997), and an honorary prize at the Cannes IFF (2006).
He was awarded the title of National Hero of Armenia (2004) with the Order of the Fatherland.
He was an officer of the Legion of Honor (France, 1997), and was also awarded the honorary title of Knight of Canada (2008).
The year before last in Yerevan he became the laureate of the first Aurora Prize.
Last August, his star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Last October, Aznavour was awarded the Israeli Raoul Wallenberg Medal for his participation in the rescue of Jews during World War II.
A square in Yerevan is named after him, and a monument to the chansonnier stands in the Armenian city of Gyumri.
The House-Museum of Chansonniers was opened in the Armenian capital.
In 2010, a 5250 m peak in the Pamirs was named Charles Aznavour Peak.
Charles Aznavour was married several times. In his first marriage, he had a daughter, Seda (born in 1947). In 1967, Aznavour legalized his relationship with the Swede Ulle Türsel. They had 3 children - daughter Katya (born in 1969), sons Misha (born in 1972) and Nicolas (born in 1977).
