Johnny Hallyday was the very mirror of French 'médiocratie' in musical taste. French are very best in many domains, but in music rather limited; except their amazing 'chansons'. This guy was nothing but a grotesque cloner of the Anglo-Sakson beat /rock. >>
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At his time wonderful autor/singers as Leo Ferre or Barbara were appreciated by few .. My explanation of why French are very high in 'chansons' but not at the rest is; because 'Chansons' are lyric continuity of poetry, in which French are the one of the very best in the world. >>
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That why I think the best - and for me; the only - French opera is Debussy's 'Pelléas et Melisande'. It is 'mi-parlé / mi-chanté'.. But if you miss the chance to hear the version under the 'baguette ' of director Armin Jordan, you may find it plate, 'simplette', even 'ridicule'.
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As, at its first performance (1902) in presence of Debussy, Paris audience was leaving the Opéra-Comique hall by contemptuous jokes. Debussy, disappointed jumped on the scene to rip up his partition.. Because the livret by Maeterlinck and the music by Debussy >>
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being charged by very complicated symbolist allusions yet extremly simple; and expressed by a very fine subtlety.. So the conducters (I have at least listened ten of them) those are not able to get enveloped by this very special mystical 'aura' fails and approach the ridicule ..
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When I claim that 'Pelléas et Mélisande' is the unique French opera, I hear people asking: "Et 'Carmen' alors ?.." ; ok, Bizet he is French , but comme on; 'Carmen' is an 'espagnolade'... 'Les Contes d'Hoffmann' by Jacques Offenbach German-born French, >>
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and - for me greatest opera after 'Parsifal' and before 'Norma' - 'Orphée et Eurydice' of Gluck - another German, but because he, himself adapted the French version - are notable. Rameau and Italian-born Lully, through very direct Italian influence are the important beginners.
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... And finally the continuity of 'Parsifal' into 'Pelléas et Mélisande' is so evidant ... Who else has captured Wagner's 'ensorcelantes' vibrations better, if not Debussy ?...
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R.I.P. Johnny!

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You knew him in Italy?
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Yes, Nath. In Italy he was more known in the 70s, when he was the husband of Silvie Vartan.https://youtu.be/Y1eiXCv54Uw
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In Italian
Didn’t know that!
A monument here.
Adored by his very numerous fans & knew by everyone. -
Yes, in my language.

Glad to have shown something new for you.
A big hug, Nath!pic.twitter.com/zVWuqx3pDz
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Une légende pour le public français. Il restera à jamais dans nos coeurs. Que l'on aime ou pas nous devons respecter sa mémoire au nom de sa famille et des millions de fans
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Just like what gordon Lightfoot is to us Canadians. A national icon.
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NOW I find out how to spell it.
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Bonjour , J'espère que tu vas bien , je suis Aurelie de Nice novice ici et voudrais prendre connaissance avec toi si possible. Je te souhaite une bonne nuit en espérant avoir des nouvelles de toi
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