Charles Aznavour, Royal Albert Hall, review: He promises to be back when he is 100 - don't bet against it
If this is your entrée into the thousand-plus chansons Aznavour has composed, you're in for a treat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three songs into what turns out to be a lengthy, 2-hour long set you'd hardly expect from a 91 year-old, now officially the oldest performer to headline the regal London venue, Charles Aznavour takes off his slate-coloured jacket and flings it on the grand piano as he reveals a pair of bright red braces.
The most diminutive chanson legend means business and punches the air after dramatically hitting the high note at the end of ''Paris Au Mois D'Août“ (Paris In The Month of August), the title song of a doomed love affair film he made with Susan Hampshire five decades ago. In fact, he's not just singing to the French expats who have wandered up from South Kensington with a glass of rosé – fact! – the British and the London-based Armenian community love him too, and with good reason.
He makes fun of the téléprompteur that enables him to give a masterclass in song-writing in between duetting with his daughter Katia on ''Je Voyage'' and delivering a sublime ''She'', the 1974 chart-topper revived by Elvis Costello for the Notting Hill soundtrack 15 years later. If this is your entrée into the thousand-plus chansons Aznavour has composed, you're in for a treat. After nonchalantly singing ''The Old Fashioned Way'', he returns for ''What Makes A Man A Man'', arguably the first song about homosexuality by a non-homosexual. Its message of acceptance is magnified by the bouquet of flowers he carries on the shoulder like a gun as he wanders off stage, an impish smile on his face. He promises to be back when he is 100. Don't bet against it! Chapeau Monsieur Aznavour!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments