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China Daily European Edition
January 13, 2013 Sunday
Aznavour is still young at heart
by Zhang Kun in Shanghai
Charles Aznavour watched the students playing and offered a helping
hand when he saw anyone in difficulty.
Few at the mental health school in Shanghai's Yuyuan community
realized he is an internationally renowned singer, songwriter and
activist.
Aznavour, born in 1924, made his second trip to Shanghai in
mid-December. It was a private trip, accompanied by his youngest son,
but even so he was happy to set some time aside for a trip to Home of
Sunshine.
He met 30 students who ranged in age from between 19 and 35 and when
one of the teams had problems sucking at a slip of paper with a straw,
Aznavour came to the rescue.
"Some people retire, but he never will," says his son, Patrick, the
youngest of five children.
Aznavour constantly hummed tunes as he strolled around and at 88, he's
still touring, performing and composing.
He has just completed a tour of South America and will fly to Britain
to record a new song next month.
Aznavour made his first visit to China in June, when he performed
three songs at a gala dinner during the Shanghai International Film
Festival.
"I have sung in 19 countries, and I'd love to introduce French music
to China," he says.
Aznavour has been one of the most enduring singers in France, famed
for his clear tenor voice and is often compared with Frank Sinatra.
He has acted in more than 60 movies and composed about 1,000 songs, in
several languages.
Aznavour's parents were from Armenia, and he has been heavily involved
in humanitarian and charity initiatives for the country. He is the
ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, as well as the UNESCO cultural
ambassador for Armenia.
With an artistic career spanning more than 60 years, he has
collaborated with many great artists, such as Sinatra, Edith Piaf,
Fred Astaire, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John and others.
"He has a traditional way of singing, characterized by poetic lyrics
and melodic music," Patrick says.
"He's an open book," says Prestige PR's Sarah el Asri, who organized
his Shanghai trip. Listening to him singing is like sharing French
musical history, she adds.
"He performs with a unique style. He's like an actor that sings, and
his songs have inspired many artists."
On China's video sharing website Youku.com, one of Aznavour's most
popular videos sees him collaborating with Edith Piaf, produced
through 3D digital imaging.
No, Piaf didn't help him with his career, comments Aznavour. "She used
to promote her lovers, but I was only a friend."
"Lovers pass by, but friendships last longer," he says.
January 13, 2013 Sunday
Aznavour is still young at heart
by Zhang Kun in Shanghai
Charles Aznavour watched the students playing and offered a helping
hand when he saw anyone in difficulty.
Few at the mental health school in Shanghai's Yuyuan community
realized he is an internationally renowned singer, songwriter and
activist.
Aznavour, born in 1924, made his second trip to Shanghai in
mid-December. It was a private trip, accompanied by his youngest son,
but even so he was happy to set some time aside for a trip to Home of
Sunshine.
He met 30 students who ranged in age from between 19 and 35 and when
one of the teams had problems sucking at a slip of paper with a straw,
Aznavour came to the rescue.
"Some people retire, but he never will," says his son, Patrick, the
youngest of five children.
Aznavour constantly hummed tunes as he strolled around and at 88, he's
still touring, performing and composing.
He has just completed a tour of South America and will fly to Britain
to record a new song next month.
Aznavour made his first visit to China in June, when he performed
three songs at a gala dinner during the Shanghai International Film
Festival.
"I have sung in 19 countries, and I'd love to introduce French music
to China," he says.
Aznavour has been one of the most enduring singers in France, famed
for his clear tenor voice and is often compared with Frank Sinatra.
He has acted in more than 60 movies and composed about 1,000 songs, in
several languages.
Aznavour's parents were from Armenia, and he has been heavily involved
in humanitarian and charity initiatives for the country. He is the
ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, as well as the UNESCO cultural
ambassador for Armenia.
With an artistic career spanning more than 60 years, he has
collaborated with many great artists, such as Sinatra, Edith Piaf,
Fred Astaire, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John and others.
"He has a traditional way of singing, characterized by poetic lyrics
and melodic music," Patrick says.
"He's an open book," says Prestige PR's Sarah el Asri, who organized
his Shanghai trip. Listening to him singing is like sharing French
musical history, she adds.
"He performs with a unique style. He's like an actor that sings, and
his songs have inspired many artists."
On China's video sharing website Youku.com, one of Aznavour's most
popular videos sees him collaborating with Edith Piaf, produced
through 3D digital imaging.
No, Piaf didn't help him with his career, comments Aznavour. "She used
to promote her lovers, but I was only a friend."
"Lovers pass by, but friendships last longer," he says.