Remembering Aznavour is the title of a concert organised by Milko Foucault-Larche to mark the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth in Sydney this month. Milko often presents concerts featuring the music of Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour throughout the state of New Wales in Australia. We spoke to him about this special concert.
Bonjour Milko, we last spoke in 2019 when you presented the show Piaf & Aznavour. This time, you’re organising a concert to celebrate the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth, called Remembering Aznavour. Tell us about this show.
I’ve been touring Aznavour’s songs around Australia for over twenty years. I created the first Aznavour show in Australia in 2003. Having the only Aznavour show in Sydney, I feel it’s my duty to share Monsieur Aznavour’s ‘Formidables’ songs with the public.
Why are you so passionate about Aznavour’s music? Why is it important to you that we celebrate the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth?
I discovered Aznavour’s music in the early 2000s. At the time, I was looking for an idea for a new Francophone show in Sydney. But, above all, I wanted to produce a show that had never been done in Australia. Finally, after several months of research, I came across Aznavour and the rest is history.
Celebrating the centenary is important because, for us Francophones, Aznavour’s songs are part of our cultural heritage of which we are very proud.
In your other concerts, you sing with guests Corinne Andrew and Rikelle Brown and The Clive Lendich Band. You did the Piaf & Aznavour show with Corinne. How did you meet? Have you worked with Rikelle before? Why did you choose them?
When I was producing Piaf et Aznavour – Back in Time, Corinne Andrew and a few other singers auditioned for the role of Piaf. Without a doubt, Corinne Andrew was, in my opinion, the most appropriate singer for the role.
We’ve been working together for 6 years now, with no less than 8 different shows to our credit and a ninth in production for 2025.
As for Rikelle, we’ve been working together since 1999 in a number of shows on the NSW club circuit. In 2003, she co-produced Australia’s first Aznavour show with me, taking charge of staging, choreography and choir rehearsals.
Corinne & Rikelle are very familiar with Aznavour’s songs. In fact, Corinne and I sing Aznavour songs that we’ve transformed into duets. And Rikelle was the ideal singer to complete our cast. This allowed us to revisit certain songs and add a new creative touch.
How do you think Aznavour’s Armenian origins have influenced his music and career?
Charles Aznavour’s Armenian origins have had a profound influence on his music and career, adding a layer of richness and diversity to his work.
Born into a family of Armenian refugees, Aznavour has always had a strong link with his roots, which has influenced his song themes, often imbued with nostalgia, exile and the quest for identity.
This cultural duality has brought a unique depth to his music, enabling him to reach audiences far beyond France’s borders.
Charles Aznavour has made a huge contribution to the Armenian cause over the years.
Can you tell us about some of Aznavour’s most memorable songs that will be performed at the concert?
In terms of choice, it’s always extremely difficult to choose twenty or so songs for a concert, especially when you’re faced with such an impressive catalogue.
Of course, you have to choose the essentials: La Boheme, Les plaisirs démodés [The Old Fashioned Way], Emmenez-moi [Take me along], Les Comédiens.
For this centenary show, I also wanted to include some important friends like Edith Piaf, Enrico Macias and Liza Minelli.
There’s also the choice of songs in relation to the orchestra. My musical director, Clive Lendich, is one of the best guitarists in Australia, hence the choice of certain songs where the guitar plays an important role. That’s all I’m saying about that.
What do you think makes Aznavour such a timeless figure in French music?
Many of Aznavour’s songs deal with a wide range of subjects, so not just love songs, but songs that were topical 50 years ago, and which resonate just as well in today’s world.
And then there are the lyrics! Aznavour was a lover of the French language. An ambassador for French chanson and French culture around the world.
How did Aznavour’s experience as an immigrant shape his artistic expression?
Charles Aznavour was born in Paris but grew up in an immigrant family around an immigrant community.
Being an immigrant and speaking very little English at first, I realise how difficult it is to adapt to a new society, which is not always easy. It takes determination. And as Charles Aznavour himself said, never stop working… always work…
Aznavour’s determination knew no bounds and he endured tough years before finally winning over the public and the critics.
How do you plan to involve both French-speaking audiences and those unfamiliar with Aznavour’s work?
Like all our shows, Remembering Aznavour is designed for a French-speaking audience, a Francophile audience and also an Australian audience. And without exception, all our shows are sung in French and English.
There’s a lot of activity on social media about Aznavour at the moment, so it’s up to us to capitalise on that. There’s also the release of the biopic Monsieur Aznavour.
What role does music play in the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly in the context of Aznavour’s legacy?
Music acts as a time capsule, preserving and transmitting cultural traditions across generations.
In the context of Charles Aznavour’s legacy, music plays a crucial role. Charles Aznavour, with his poignant songs and moving lyrics, has captured the essence of the French soul, while tackling universal themes, everyday issues, taboo subjects and topical issues.
His melodies serve not only as a bridge between generations, but also as a vehicle for French culture around the world.
Have you had any memorable experiences linked to Aznavour’s songs that you’d like to share?
Among the memorable experiences that Aznavour’s songs have given me, there are a few that stand out:
- the creation of the first Aznavour show in Australia.
- singing Aznavour in New York, where I made by international debut
- being the first Australian singer to record an Aznavour album.
- presenting the show at the Sydney Opera House for the 10th anniversary of the show in Australia
- winning an Australian “MO Award” in the “International shows” category.
- making my London debuts with my Aznavour concert.
- recently, creating [writing, producing and directing] Piaf et Aznavour- Comme Autrefois [Back in Time], an Australian production of which I am especially proud. A show like no other.
- and of course, the centenary show. A show which allows us to reunite with singer and musician friends.
What message do you hope the participants will take away from this celebration of Aznavour’s life and work?
Corinne, Rikelle and I are die-hard fans and celebrating Monsieur Aznavour’s centenary here in Sydney, I can tell you, will be an experience we’ll hold in our hearts for a very long time.
For Corinne Andrew and I, who are probably the two most active ambassadors of French chanson in Australia, this is much more than a show, it’s a celebration of our cultural heritage.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my Aznavour experience with your readers. Aznavour is probably the biggest part of my artistic life. There are still lots of projects to come, but for the moment all our attention is focused on the centenary show because we’re in the middle of production.
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We thank Milko Foucault-Larche for this interview.
KEY INFO FOR REMEMBERING AZNAVOUR
WHAT: Remembering Aznavour, a concert marking the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth
WHERE: Cardea Sydney, BARANGAROO, SYDNEY
WHEN: 28 November 2024
HOW: Buy your tickets via this link
HOW MUCH Tickets for unreserved seats have been sold out, but there are still tickets available for the dinner and show.
Tickets for the 2 course dinner and show cost $128.37.
What’s your favourite Aznavour song?
If you’re in Adelaide, there’s another concert organised by the Armenian Culture Association of South Australia for the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth. For more information and to buy tickets, click here
