Aznavour

Charles Aznavour, born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris on May 22, 1924, was a French-Armenian singer, lyricist, actor and humanitarian. Over a career spanning seven decades, he became one of the most enduring figures of the French chanson tradition, renowned for his warm, flexible voice and the emotional precision of his phrasing.

Aznavour wrote and performed hundreds of songs in French and in multiple languages, including Armenian, English, Italian, Spanish, and German. His lyrics often explored love, memory, exile, and social issues.

Among his best-known works are La Bohème, Emmenez-moi, and Hier Encore (the French version of Yesterday When I Was Young). His songs were translated and performed worldwide, helping to popularize French chanson beyond French-speaking audiences.

In addition to singing, Aznavour acted in numerous films and theater productions, and his career in film spanned several decades.

Outside his artistic work, he was active in humanitarian and cultural causes for Armenia and the Armenian diaspora, supporting relief efforts and Armenian communities around the world.

Aznavour received numerous honors, including France’s Legion of Honour, and his influence on international popular music has been acknowledged by musicians across genres.

He died on October 1, 2018, at the age of 94, in the Alpilles region of France.