there's nothing better than words of love to comfort people

In the performance The Words of Love, popstar Angélique Kidjo and classical pianist Alexandre Tharaud pay tribute to Édith Piaf, Josephine Baker and even Serge Gainsbourg. Joint interview.

The piano-vocal duet performance is elegant, but lends itself to explosive alliances. Thus the fiery Angélique Kidjo, a whirlwind of afro pop on stage and the poetic Alexandre Tharaud, a classical pianist crazy about baroque and Barbara. One has already transformed the repertoire of scores of icons. The other has accompanied Bénabar and Natalie Dessay. United on stage by their passion for the French chanson, they conjure up these Words of Love for us: a history of language, of voice, of energy...

How were Les Mots d'Amour born?
Alexandre Tharaud: In 2020, Angélique invited me to perform two of Barbara's songs, Emmenez-moi and Soleil noir, as part of the Festival of Saint-Denis. After this duet, performed in the basilica, it seemed natural to continue this collaboration.

Angélique Kidjo: We wanted to talk about love, an inexhaustible subject, in the broadest sense, through its words. There's nothing better than words of love to comfort people, especially when emerging from seclusion.

What relationship do each of you have with the French chanson?
A.K.: I love the French language. In Benin, my father, with his banjo, sang Aznavour and other popular performers to me.  My sister compiled all the words in a large singing notebook. Aged 9, I sang "Ce soir je serai la plus belle pour aller danser", in the literal sense: in my mind, I was going to the ball! Singing in French remained a childhood dream.

A.T.: My father was a baritone in the operetta, my grandfather sang in bars, so I was surrounded by popular music from a very young age. In my teenage years, Barbara became my guide. When she was in Paris, I went to see her nearly every night. We pianists chase the human voice our whole lives. Singers are our masters and we try to imitate

Have you included Barbara in the show?
A.T.: Paradoxically, no. We've selected about twenty songs, some joyful and sparkling, others sadder, hits by Piaf, Josephine Baker and Nougaro, covered with different arrangements and more unexpected titles such as Les bleus by Gainsbourg or Les mots d’amour, created by Jacqueline François in the 1950s. We've also included two more recent titles by Dominique A and Pierre Lapointe.

A.K.: There's not a song selected that's not a reminder of what we're experiencing in our daily lives. Take Il n’y a pas d’amour heureux, a poem of resistance by Aragon, covered by Brassens and which speaks of war: how can you not think about Ukraine today?

Are there any songs that are particularly special to you?
A.K.: Lily, by Pierre Perret, is very touching for me, because it tells my story. I heard it on arriving in France in 1983. The story of this immigrant is similar to my own. I didn't sell cauliflowers, but I cleaned, cut hair and minded children. Leaving Benin for political reasons, I knew the pain of separation, the anxiety of not hearing from my parents. When I sing it, I have to concentrate so that I'm not overwhelmed. The same goes for Les mots d’amour by Piaf. We all carry the heartbreak of a loved one who is no longer with us. Alex knows: half the time, I live the song so much, I sing it badly!

A.T.: Piaf's songs are the ones that move me the most in this show. A century later, you have a different style, but it seems like they were written for you.

What do you like most about this collaboration?
A.K.: What I like, with Alexandre, is that he isn't just a pianist, but a musician who sings with his piano. He carries me, pulls me, lets me go... It's like a wave, both minimalist and full of emotion. What's more, we talk, discuss, perform, the discussion is constant. We complement each other. These words of love, we share them with the greatest simplicity.

A.T.: Firstly, there is a love story with a voice and Angélique's voice has already long transported me. I also discovered her inner energy. I often say that I feel better on stage than at home or with friends: with Angélique, that feeling is multiplied by a thousand. She comes onto the stage with an obviousness that sweeps away everything in its path: it's not a wave, it's a volcano! As direct as she is in life, she hides nothing and gets straight to the point. From the first notes, off we go, no questions asked.

Anne Berthod
Overgenomen en vertaald met de toestemming van de schrijfster en van Télérama