The legendary singer passed away in his own house in the south of France. Charles aznavour biography Charles aznavour short biography
During his 80-year career famous singer and the actor starred in 70 films, including: "The Devil and the Ten Commandments", "The Chinese", "Ararat", "Father Gorio".
800 songs(according to the information provided on the official website of the singer) Aznavour wrote, including such as "Eternal Love", "Isabelle", "La Boheme", and sang them in six languages. His discs have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
93 years Charles Aznavour will be celebrated on May 22, 2017, but the star does not like to celebrate his birthday. The master believes that in old age you need to live as if you were 30 or 40 years old. The main thing is to be in love with your profession. And Aznavour categorically does not want to part with the public. In an interview with a Swiss newspaper, he admitted that even at the age of 100 he would like to stand on stage.
Aznavour before the start of his concert, surrounded by relatives: son Misha, third wife Ulla Torsel and daughter Katya (1994). Photo: GettyImages.ru
From 9 years old Shahnur Vakhinak Aznavuryan (this is his full name at birth) performed small roles in one of the theaters in Paris. And at 11 I already played the main role- King Henry III as a child. After 20 years, he heard: "You will conquer the world because you know how to excite." These words were told to him by another famous Frenchman - Charles de Gaulle. And in the late 1940s, Charles, who was just over 20 years old, began performing in Parisian cabarets. He sang about riotous life and young beauties. And despite the fact that Aznavour did it masterly, critics paid attention to his cracked voice and small stature (only 160 cm). Even Charles's father did not miss an opportunity to criticize his son's vocal abilities.
3 official marriages the chansonnier had it. Charles has five children, although some media claim he has six. Allegedly, in his first marriage, he had not only a daughter, but also a son, Charles Aznavour Jr., but neither the singer nor family members mentioned this in any interview. The maestro does not like to talk about his personal life at all, so his fans know little about it. But one thing is for sure: the main woman who determined the fate of Charles was the great Edith Piaf. Their chance meeting marked the beginning of a long and difficult relationship.
The main woman who determined the fate of Charles Aznavour was the great Edith Piaf. Their chance meeting marked the beginning of a long and uneasy relationship (1950s). Photo: GettyImages.ru
8 years the friendship between Charles and Edith lasted. “I was its author and composer. Trustee? No, Piaf had no confidants. More like an accomplice, a drinking partner. I must say we both loved it. In some countries we drank red wine, in others beer, and in the USA - champagne, the same brand, ”the chansonnier recalled. And they met by chance. Musical career Aznavour started in cheap French cabarets. Together with his friend Pierre Roche, he sang songs in the evenings own composition... Once Edith Piaf accidentally dropped in to such a performance in a cabaret and stayed there - she liked the sincerity and simplicity of Charles' songs. That evening, Sparrow (nicknamed Piaf), as they say, gave Aznavour wings. All night long they drank wine and talked. And in the morning, Piaf suggested: "Fly with me to America." “But I have no money for a ticket,” admitted Charles. “A real man has to find the money himself,” Piaf said casually. And the singer found it: he borrowed a little from all his acquaintances. This unexpected union surprised many. "What did she find in him?" - asked some. “Myself,” answered the others. Both are ugly vertically challenged, completely devoid of self-confidence, but talented and charming! They laughed at the unprepossessing Piaf. And they made fun of the nosed Aznavour: they say, where is this little Armenian trying to? Piaf was more perspicacious than others, but at first she also reacted with restraint to Aznavour's work. At first, Charles was her secretary, a luggage carrier, and then he began to write songs and offer them to Piaf. And the singer took several of them. But she understood: appearance is very important for an artist, and therefore forced Aznavour to do plastic surgery- to reduce the nose. However, for the sake of success, Charles was ready for much. And for the sake of Piaf herself - for everything. Once they found themselves in a Parisian traffic jam - Piaf was late for a performance in Normandy. Edith said, “I don't want to disrupt this concert. Get behind the wheel - we should be there at 8 o'clock. " He replied: "This is impossible, you see what kind of movement there is." "Do what you want, but we have to be there at eight." And Charles tells how he drove onto the sidewalk, almost knocking over people, and rushed through the pits. As a result, the concert began at 8 o'clock - thanks to Aznavour, who was driving. Once Charles flew to Edith in America, and she suddenly met him with a new lover. But despite new romance, Piaf took care of Aznavour - invited him to go to Canada with concerts. “You can definitely make money there,” she said. Charles, as always, obeyed Edith. And he made the right decision. Success awaited him in Canada: 11 concerts a week, with an average of 600 spectators each. His dreams were beginning to come true.
Charles Aznavour with his second wife, Evelyn Plessis (1956). Photo: GettyImages.ru
2 times Aznavour got into car accidents with Piaf. Several times I tried to get away from Sparrow. He endured the whims of his hot-tempered patroness and constantly learned from her. The artist went on tour, got married, got divorced and returned to Piaf again. After the death of Edith, Charles unexpectedly again found himself next to her: director Claude Lelouch invited him to play himself in the drama "Edith and Marseille" (1983), dedicated to the love story of the great Piaf and the famous boxer Marcel Serdan. Aznavour could not refuse.
At 30, in 1954, Charles finally signed a big and serious contract: for three weeks he sang in the Parisian concert hall Alhambra. It was a success! The pupil Piaf himself became a star. And the next year he was invited to perform at the most famous hall of the French capital - Olympia. Aznavour had great success there, while criticizing him is still extremely harsh, even sometimes with anger. French criticism invariably blew it to smithereens, primarily because of the timbre of his voice, and also because of the tragic notes of his nervous songs - in those days, simple love songs were in vogue. However, after a few years, Aznavour returned to Olympia as a star. And now no one disputed this title. The chansonnier's name could be read not on modest and cheap one-color posters, but on the huge facade of the most prestigious concert hall France, which made Edith Piaf and Yves Montana famous.
Aznavour's concerts at Olympia lasted 12 weeks. He sang with an orchestra conducted by Paul Mauriat. The success was enormous and well deserved. In 1998, according to a poll by CNN and Time magazine, viewers and readers recognized him as the best pop singer XX century.
50 years Aznavour did not perform his song "Isabel". But once one spectator from Uzbekistan ordered this song for him, and the singer had to learn it again. “I always start from what the audience loves. But I like to move forward. If I sang only what the audience is asking for, there would be no progress, ”the singer said in an interview.
For the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1975, together with the composer Georges Garvarenz, the author of the music for most of the hits of the chansonnier, Aznavour wrote the song "Ils sont tombes" ("They fell").
In the photo - a wedding with his third wife, Ulla Torsel (1967). Photo: GettyImages.ru
90 artists France took part in the recording of a video clip for the composition of Aznavour "Pour toi Armenie". The song appeared in 1989 after the earthquake in Armenia. To help his people affected by the natural disaster, the artist created the Aznavour for Armenia charitable foundation and held many fundraising campaigns. The inhabitants of this country are very grateful to the star: a square is named after him in Yerevan, and a monument was erected in the city of Gyumri.
8 years ago, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan issued a decree according to which Aznavour received Armenian citizenship. And in 2009, the same Serzh Sargsyan offered him to become the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, because Aznavour has been living in this country for many years. The singer and actor accepted this offer with pleasure and great gratitude.
3 thousand copies - the circulation of Charles Aznavour's book "My dad is a giant" in Russia. In addition to her, two autobiographies of the artist and collections of song texts were published in Russian.
300 words knows Charles Aznavour in Russian, but has no idea how to tie them into a sentence. Although his father spoke Russian well, he ran a Russian restaurant and even signed not in Armenian, but in Russian.
2 years has passed since the story that literally blew up the Runet: a certain grandmother Lida sang Aznavour's songs in the metro. Upon learning of this, the famous singer invited Lydia Ivanovna to his concert in Moscow, after which he met backstage with his fan, presented her with a bouquet of roses and signed his disc. Grandma was happy.
Charles Aznavour(fr. Charles aznavour, arm. Շառլ Ազնավուր; genus. May 22, 1924 in Paris) - an outstanding French singer and actor of Armenian descent. Real name - Shahnur Vakhinak Aznavuryan (Armenian Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրյան).
Often there is a slightly distorted version of the second name - 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 is the Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland and the country's permanent representative at the UN headquarters.
To date, Aznavour has created about 1000 songs, played in 60 films and sold over 100 million discs. According to a joint poll of TIME magazine and CNN (1998), Aznavour was recognized as the best pop performer XX century.
He permanently lives in Switzerland, but still continues to consider himself an Armenian.
Biography
Born into a family of Armenian emigrants who left for France in 1922. Father, who was half Georgian and half Armenian, was born in Akhaltsikhe, Tiflis province 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 art school, and later at the TSF Central School (Paris). From the age of 9 he sang and played on stage, already in 1936 he made his film debut. Initially, Aznavour performed in a duet with the 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. Since that time, Aznavour's professional career as a chansonnier begins. However, a decisive breakthrough to the musical Olympia took place in 1956, after successful concerts in Casablanca and Paris, where he performed for a long time three times a day 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 with 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-authors, 1973) and Lotrek (2004).
Among the world famous songs of Aznavour - "Bohemia", "Mom", "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 ”,“ Take me away ”,“ You must be able ”,“ Die for love ”, etc.
In 2006, 82-year-old Aznavour traveled 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
On the 60th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Aznavour and his constant co-author Georges Garvarents wrote the song "They fell." His songs "Autobiography", "Jan" and "Gentle Armenia" were also written on the Armenian theme. Aznavour and his daughter Seda performed Sayat-Nova's "Ashkharums" in Armenian.
Aznavour's connection with his historical homeland is not limited to this: in 1988, after the earthquake in Spitak, he founded the Aznavour for Armenia charitable association and organized several campaigns to collect aid to the victims, in particular, about 90 French singers and actors took part in the recording of the video clip "For you, Armenia". Aznavour is the Honorary Ambassador of Armenia to UNESCO. A square in Yerevan was named after Aznavour during his lifetime; 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 granting citizenship not only to Aznavour, but also to his impresario Levon Sayan.
Literature
In 2007, Charles Aznavour published the book "Mon pere, ce geant" at the Flammarion Quebec publishing house, which was published a year later by the Moscow publishing house "RIPOL Classic" in a small print run (3000 copies) under the title "My dad is a giant" (translated by N. A. Svetovidova). This is not the first experience of a musician in fiction: previously published two autobiographies of Aznavour, as well as collections of texts of his songs. The book includes 16 short sketches of everyday life, memoir, pseudo-biographical, journalistic and fantastic character. Thus, the 83-year-old singer declared himself as an outstanding writer.
Actor career
Aznavour also regularly appears in films: he appeared on the screen in more than 60 films, collaborating with directors such as René Clair, Claude Chabrol, Claude Lelouch. The most famous tapes with Aznavour's participation are Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus (1960), Shoot the Pianist by Francois Truffaut (1960), Tin Drum by Volker Schlöndorf (1979), as well as Crossing the Rhine (1960), Taxi to Tobruk, Horace 62, The Devil and the Ten Commandments, Paris in August (1966), Kandai and the Last Adventurers (Hollywood, 1969), Time of Wolves (1970), Yes live life ”(1984),“ Paris ”(TV serial, 1985), the detective series“ The Chinese ”. In 1974, Aznavour wrote the leitmotif “She” (later - British hit number 1) for the television series “Seven Faces of a Woman”, in the famous Soviet political action movie “Tehran-43” (1981) Aznavour and Harvarentz's hit “Eternal Love” sounds. place in the acting work of Aznavour is occupied by Atom Egoyan's film "Ararat" (2002), dedicated to the Armenian genocide in 1915.
Aznavour also participated in the first season of The Muppet Show.
From an interview with the Russian Bazar 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 job is another.
Personal life
The first time he married on March 16, 1946 - to Micheline Rugel, the second time - on October 28, 1955 - to Evelyn Plessis, the third time - on January 11, 1967 - to the Swede Olla Torsel.
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 conquers a person. He is the greatest in his art ”(Maurice Chevalier).
“This voice, which seems to be on the brink of disaster and at any time can become hoarse and silenced, the majestic voice of a short-of-breath climber who courageously conquers the summit, the deaf and torn voice of a wounded bird, dropping onto the stage with its feathers wonderful songs of love, this writhing in agony Stradivarius, this seeming voice extinct volcano who pours out words rather to the heart than to the ear ... is heard all over the world ”(Yves Salg).
“Besides, 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 of the 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" award (best singer of the 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 of "National Hero of Armenia" and the Order of the Fatherland.
2006 - Honorary Prize of the 30th Cairo Film Festival.
2008 - Officer of the Order of Canada - in recognition of his work in strengthening cultural ties between the French-speaking countries and Canada.
2010 - badge of honor "For an outstanding contribution to strengthening cultural ties between Russia and France."
Discography
Charles Aznavour's main discography
Selected filmography
1958 - Head against the wall
1959 - Oh, what a mambo! (fr.) 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 - Ghosts of the Hatter
1982 - From whom is David running? (fr.) Russian. / Qu'est-ce qui fait courir David? - Leon
1983 - Edith and Marcel - cameo, uncredited
1987 - Nail Eater
2002 - Ararat
Autobiography
Aznavour about Aznavour (1970),
Time of the Advanced ("Past and Present") (2004).
Films
"Charles Aznavour, Armenia 1989" directed by Levon Mkrtchyan
Songs
La Boheme: 1980, 2004, isp.
Charles Aznavour (French Charles Aznavour, pseudonym; real name Vakhinag Aznavuryan; born May 22, 1924, Paris) is a French singer and actor of Armenian descent. Being one of the most popular performers in France, he is also well known far beyond its borders.
To this day, Aznavour has created approximately 1,000 songs, played in 60 films and sold over 100 million discs. According to a joint poll by Time magazine and CNN (1998), Aznavour was recognized as the best pop artist of the 20th century.
Musical: colloquial genre for those who cannot sing and musical - for those who cannot speak.
Aznavour Charles
Born into a family of Armenian emigrants who moved to France in 1922. Aznavour's mother came from an Armenian merchant family living in Turkey, his father was born in Georgia (Aznavour's paternal grandfather was the cook of Tsar Nicholas II).
Charles Aznavour studied at the children's art school, and later at the TSF Central School (Paris). From the age of 9 he sang and played on stage, already in 1936 he made his film debut. Initially, Aznavour performed in a duet with the 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. Since that time, Aznavour's professional career as a chansonnier begins. However, a decisive breakthrough to the musical Olympia took place in 1956, after successful concerts in Casablanca and Paris (where he performed for a long time in the famous Olympia three times a day). In the early 1960s, Aznavour played concerts in New York's Carnegie Hall and Ambassador Hotel, and later released his first American album with Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records. Aznavour wrote over 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. Minelli, E. Segara and others.
The first time he married on March 16, 1946 - to Micheline Rugel, the second time - on October 28, 1955 - to Evelyn Plessis, the third time - on January 11, 1967 - to Olle Torcel. Children - Seda (Patricia), Patrick (died), from the latter marriage - Katya, Misha, Nicolas
In 2006, 82-year-old Aznavour traveled 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 on April 20, 2007 Charles Aznavour gave a single concert.
Charles Aznavour - photo
Charles Aznavour quotes
Musical: a spoken genre for those who cannot sing and a musical genre for those who cannot speak. 
Charles Aznavour's childhood and family
Aznavour's hometown is Paris. Full name given to the boy at birth - Shahnur Vakhinak Aznavuryan. He was born into an Armenian family, which even before his birth moved to France from Armenia. Parents were engaged in art: my father was an operetta artist, and my mother played in the so-called "tabloid" theaters for the general public. 
Creativity did not bring the family the means to live on, so the parents eventually gave up trying to break into bohemian circles and opened a small restaurant of Armenian cuisine. The head of the family sometimes performed in front of visitors, which added a special flavor to the institution. Together with his older sister Aida, the boy obediently helped the family business. When the crisis of the 30s began, the restaurant had to be closed.
The children of the Aznavour couple grew up as creative personalities. Aida with early years demonstrated success at the piano, and Charles mastered the violin by the age of five. Next, his parents enrolled him in a theater school. He was a timid, nondescript boy of small stature, but still managed to open up among like-minded people. Charles began to use city theaters in extras, then he was entrusted with larger roles, like the young King Henry IV from the production of Margot by the Odeon Theater.
First songs
In the early 40s, in one of the nightclubs in Paris, a fateful meeting for Aznavour with the young composer and pianist Pierre Roche took place. Together they formed the duet "Roche and Aznavour." Friends found it funny, and they took the stage performing a couple of songs previously written by Charles for other performers. 
In 1946, Edith Piaf drew attention to the duet. During this period of time, being very popular in Europe, she was preparing for a long tour in America. The singer invited Charles and Pierre to go with her. After successful performances in the USA, and then in Canada, the young man was already recognized in Piaf's concerts. This is how Charles's career began as a singer.
In 1952, Charles continued to perform independently in France, but did not have much success, so he decided to work as a composer and songwriter. He made a name for himself thanks to the fact that he worked with Patasha, Mistinkvet and Greco. Being in good relationship with Piaf, Charles wrote for her too. He remade the American song "Jezebel", which for short term performed by the singer became a real hit.
Charles Aznavour "Eternal Love"
In 1954, having many of his songs and choosing a suitable repertoire, Aznavour began to prepare for a trip to North America... His independent performances were a great success. The singer signed a contract with Olympia and Alhambra. Critics of Aznavour were strict, but the audience accepted him very well.
Charles Aznavour. Isabelle.
Already in 1957, Aznavour was known and loved. His performances became an event. He went on an overseas tour. Success awaited him there as well.
Films with Charles Aznavour
Charles began to appear frequently in films. Notable roles were played by him in such films as "Womanizer" and "Head against the Walls". In 1960, after working in the film "Shoot the Pianist", the doors of Carnegie Hall in America opened in front of Aznavour. Charles performed in triumph at this prestigious music hall. This time the critics also applauded. 
Having gone on a tour around the world, which lasted more than one year, Aznavour became a world star. He visited Turkey, USSR, Libya, Africa and Greece. The singer's discs have sold in the millions.
After returning from a tour in 1965, Aznavour performed for twelve weeks at Olympia with a play that included thirty songs. The title of this production is "One Man Show". Around the same period, he starred in the film Paris in August. Six months later, Charles presented the musical comedy "Monsieur Carnaval". It was there that the later became so popular song"Bohemia".
A year later, continuing the tour, the singer also conquered Latin America. Further, he constantly alternated touring with performances in France. Most often, the concerts were held at Olympia.
last years of life
During his creative life, the talented singer and actor managed to star in more than sixty films, collaborating with many famous directors.He never forgot that his nationality is Armenian. After the tragic earthquake in Spitak, he organized a fund to help the residents of the city. At the end of 2008, he became a citizen of Armenia.
Aznavour also tried his hand at fiction. In 2007, the book "My dad is a giant" was published. Prior to that, he published only collections of his songs, and also twice he published an autobiography. So, at the age of eighty three years Charles declared himself as an outstanding writer.
Aznavour wrote more than a thousand songs, they were performed not only by him, but also by such world-famous stars as Liza Minnelli, Ray Charles, Julio Iglesias and others. last album the singer appeared in 2007. Its name is "Color Ma Vie". In the same year, new songs were presented in several countries, in Russia this happened at the only concert that took place in Moscow.
Personal life of Charles Aznavour
Aznavour was officially married three times. For the first time he got married in 1946. His wife is Micheline Rugel. His second marriage took place in 1955. He married Evelina Plesis.In 1968, Aznavour's third wedding took place in Las Vegas. Ulla Torsel became his wife. A year later, Charles and Ulla were married in an Armenian church in Paris. It is known that Aznavour has six children from different marriages.
Death
Despite his age (in May 2018, the chansonnier turned 94), Charles Aznavour was full of plans and new ideas. For the fall, he was planning a large-scale concert tour, and wanted to visit Russia. But due to minor health problems (back spasm, broken arm), the concerts were canceled. On October 1, 2018, the media reported on the death of Charles Aznavour. He died at his home in the south of France, surrounded by loved ones.Charles Aznavour has long been recognized throughout the world as the best pop performer of the past century. Chansonnier performs his own works and also composes songs for other singers. In total, about a thousand song compositions created by Aznavour are known. Discs with his recordings are released all over the world in millions of copies. Charles Aznavour, whose songs are sung in many languages, continues to attract attention a large number fans.
Sad Pierrot
All of the artist's songwriting is permeated with an aura of light sadness. Almost all of Aznavour's works are devoted to the theme of love and emotional experiences. Back at the beginning creative life he noticed that people are always interested in lyric works based on sadness and melancholy, touching the soul and making the heart flutter. Thanks to his musical tastes, to which Aznavour has remained faithful for more than sixty years, the image of the romantic and sad Pierrot is firmly entrenched in 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 with a special program "The Legend Returns". A week before his birthday, Aznavour sang in Yerevan on the square that bears 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, fleeing the Armenian genocide. In the French manner, the boy was soon called Charles.
Aznavour's parents were artists, creative people, so it was not easy for the family in exile. My father opened a small restaurant "Kavkaz" and for several years tried to stay in the role of 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 hard, but in the house, where peace and harmony always reigned, the atmosphere was filled with music, poetry, theater. It is not surprising that little Charles, at the age of five, performed in front of the audience, playing music on the violin. As he got a little older, he danced on stage and sang in the church choir.
Not an easy actor's bread
His acting debut took place when Aznavour was only thirteen years old - he had the important role of King Henry IV as a child. Long years the artist vegetated on the sidelines in small tabloid theaters, sang in provincial cinemas in between films.
And only at the age of 19, Aznavour Charles dared to speak at big stage... Unfortunately, he was in for a complete failure. The audience did not accept a small, puny person who did not differ in special vocal abilities. He was booed by the ruthless 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 destiny of the artist. The singer was very affectionate towards the young man, helping and supporting him in every possible way. Aznavour has become an irreplaceable assistant for her, acting as an entertainer, secretary, personal driver and a good friend. Piaf's repertoire included Charles' song "Jezebel" (Isabelle), which enjoyed continued success with the public.
The great Edith was able to discern behind the modest appearance of the artist his rich great talent and creative charisma. She inspired Aznavour and became a real teacher for him, a master, being able to convey to him her vision of the song and a special creative perception.
The chansonnier himself called their relationship "sweet slavery", which lasted about eight years. Thanks to this, Aznavour was formed as an independent and strong personality, becoming a full-fledged creator and performer of songs about loneliness and unrequited love.
Finally came success
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, making it his calling card. During this period, the surname Aznavuryan lost a small particle, and from now on and forever the artist began to call himself Aznavour Charles. The number of songs written by himself reached three dozen, and he did not stop there.
Charles Aznavour, singer and composer, also successfully mastered the profession of a film actor, playing for the first time in 1955. Fame and recognition brought him the role of a cabaret pianist in the film by French director François Truffaut "Shoot the Pianist". Subsequently, Aznavour repeatedly starred with the leading directors Jean Cocteau, Claude Chabrol, Volker Schlendorf.
In 1983, Charles Aznavour, whose film biography was already quite rich, brilliantly played in the film by Claude Lelouch "Edith and Marseille". The role became special for the artist, because it was the love story of 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, 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 envelopes with records, began to be called the singer of the French blues. His work has been compared with the famous American performer, 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
1965 in Paris saw the successful premiere of the operetta Monsieur Carnaval, written by Charles Aznavour. In the same year, the singer gave recitals for two months in a row, performing together with the orchestra conducted by Paul Maria. And again, unchanging success. Fame and popularity were now always where Aznavour appeared. Charles was grateful for his fate, while always remaining a gentle, modest and restrained person.
The artist's popularity grew steadily. This was facilitated by regular performances, touring, recording new albums. In 1973 in London, Charles Aznavour's song "She" ("She") received gold and platinum discs. The event was unheard of in those days, because never before had such high awards been awarded to the French.
In 1981 new album"Charles Aznavour chante Dimey" was a kind of result of forty years creative activity famous singer and a composer. The next album named after the author "Aznavour" saw the world in 1986.
In Russia, one of the most famous songs the composer was "Une Vie D" Amour "(" Eternal Love "), written by the author for the cult film" Tehran 43 "(directors Alov and Naumov). Charles Aznavour and Mireille Mathieu performed this song many times as a duet at concerts, and the audience always asked repeat it for an encore.
Armenia is my love
The artist always remembers his Armenian roots 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 the fund to help victims of the natural disaster, which later grew into the association "Aznavour and Armenia". He constantly takes part in the construction of schools for Armenian children. Now the chansonnier is the ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland and represents his homeland at the UN headquarters.
Under the roof of the house
Aznavour has never been famous for scandals, his life is 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. With his current wife, Swede Ulla Tursel, the singer will soon celebrate his golden wedding.
By his own admission, it was his love for a woman that allowed Aznavour to experience the happiest and most dramatic moments. His marriage to Ulla completely changed his life. They had and raised three children - daughter Katya and two sons: Misha and Nicolas. Since 1977, Aznavour and his family settled in Switzerland.
90 years of creative life
For the current anniversary of the great chansonnier in France, a complete collection of his albums, recorded on 32 discs, has been released. It contains all the author's records since 1948. Charles Aznavour is still full of strength and energy. He is writing a new album called Nostalgia.
Charles Aznavour added the talent of a songwriter to his many brilliant abilities. He writes novels, continues to work on his biography, creates notes from his own thoughts, aphorisms and past stories.
According to the great chansonnier, the capricious muse has never left him alone. He is constantly creating, in an eternal search. He draws strength for life in creativity, which has its roots in the Armenian land. It is from there that his language, songs, musicality. The singer, born in France, living in Switzerland, always remains a true patriot of Armenia.
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