TUNISIA: Eighty-five year old French singer Charles Aznavour performs to a large audience in the Tunisian capital's historic Carthage district

Record ID: 591703

  • Title: TUNISIA: Eighty-five year old French singer Charles Aznavour performs to a large audience in the Tunisian capital's historic Carthage district
  • Date: 23rd July 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNIDENTIFIED FRENCH AUDIENCE MEMBER, SAYING: "It's really moving to see a man like that. Great." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TUNISIAN JOURNALIST, SAMIA AL-EYARI, SAYING: "He was very humorous, as he usually is, in his intermissions and with his skill and craft, as usual. It was a fantastic concert."
  • Embargoed: 7th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Tunisia
  • Country: Tunisia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVAJXKHGSLRO2P4Z2X0K0C5MK8V
  • Story Text: Renowned singer Charles Aznavour captivated an audience of young and old on Tuesday (July 21) at Tunisia's Carthage Festival.
    The 85-year-old singer, songwriter, actor and public activist, who is of Armenian heritage, was born in Paris and is considered one of France's most enduring musical icons.
    On Tuesday, Aznavour's trademark tenor voice echoed through the walls of the Carthage Amphitheatre, where he performed many of his well known hits, proving his enduring capabilities resonate with audiences world-wide.
    "An entire generation of people are fond of Charles Aznavour, including my wife and other people of her age, people born in the 1940s and 50s, they all lived with the music of Aznavour," said one audience member.
    Meanwhile, another audience member attending the concert with one of her grandchildren, said his music is known by a wide cross section of people.
    "There is no age range for Aznavour lovers," she said.
    "Everyone sings his songs -- my children, my grandchildren and everyone sings his songs," she added.
    In 1998, Time Online and CNN viewers voted Aznavour as Entertainer of the Century, winning over famous musicians like Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.
    While he has performed to a wide audience, including world leaders and even the Pope, he maintained his trademark charm and sense of humour to the Carthage crowd.
    "I am delighted to see you, well I mean to feel you and hear you because I have so much light on me that I can't see much," Aznavour said jokingly between performances.
    "If I am walking very carefully, it's not my usual walking, it's because water is rising in the swimming pool," he added.
    Charles Aznavour has composed more than 1,000 songs and appeared in at least 60 movies. In 2006 he kicked-off his global farewell tour, which he is still completing.
    In the Carthage leg of the tour he performed for almost 95 minutes without intermission, where he sang 23 of his famous romantic melodies, including "Les émigrants", "Paris au Mois D'août" and "Mourir d'Aimer" among others.
    He was accompanied by his orchestra and pianist, Eric Bechot.
    "It's really moving to see a man like that. Great," said one French audience member.
    Samia al-Eyari, a Tunisian journalist, who has attended other concerts by Aznavour, said she was delighted he maintained his sense of humour and impressive performance.
    "He was very humorous, as he usually is, in his intermissions and with his skill and craft, as usual. It was a fantastic concert," said al-Eyari.
    The International Carthage Festival is in its 45th cycle. This year's list of performers includes several musicians from around the world, including Amr Diab, Cheb Khaled, Dick Oatts and the Terell Stafford Quintet and Patricia Kaas.
    It started on July 9 andon August 17.
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