PARIS | The wait is coming to an end; starting next weekend, Quebecers will finally be able to reunite with Mireille Mathieu after 35 years of absence from our stages. Out of sight out of mind? Oh no. Quite the contrary, even. “I have never forgotten the Quebec public. Never,” insists the 77-year-old singer.
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It was in a private room of the chic Parisian hotel where she was staying that Mireille Mathieu made an appointment with the representative of the Newspaper, a few weeks ago. Once the door to the room is pushed open, an observation becomes clear: the singer is petite, delicate. But a quiet strength still emanates from her. In short, she fully radiates her status as an icon of French song.
Because if her name is little known to younger generations, Mireille Mathieu remains a living legend whose name resonates from the West to the East. Over the course of her career, she has sold some 200 million albums, about as many as Beyoncé, and much more than Taylor Swift. His titles Why is the world without love, A woman in love, Forgive me for this childish whim or We don’t live without saying goodbye have all marked their time, both in Quebec and internationally.
From Aznavour to ABBA
Already brilliant in her own right, Mireille Mathieu’s star has also gained luster through collaborations with other singing legends; the voice of the French artist mingled with those of Charles Aznavour, Luciano Pavarotti, Dalida, Barry Manilow, Julio Iglesias and even ABBA, to name just a few. Mireille Mathieu has indeed revisited the megasuccess of the Swedish group The Winner Takes It Allbecame well done you won in the language of Molière.
“I love ABBA! Their songs are timeless, sublime; everything they touch becomes bar gold. I went to record well done you won in their studio in Stockholm. It was an incredible honor to work with them, and Agnetha and Frida gave me a magnificent gift by singing backing vocals with me on this song,” recalls Mireille Mathieu.
Then, she spontaneously begins to sing the chorus of this song, an exercise that she will repeat a few times during this intimate 90-minute meeting. The proof is clear: even at 77, Mireille Mathieu has lost none of her characteristic vocal range nor her power or accuracy.
“I’m a very disciplined person,” she says simply.
“Every morning, I do my vocalizations, my breathing exercises. I know that some singers don’t do it, but I feel the need,” she continues.
60 years of career
Quebecers will soon be able to see it for themselves with the singer’s four concerts planned in La Belle Province in the days to come. The goal of this great comeback? Retracing 60 years of career with his fans from the four corners of the planet. This tour began in Prague last December and will conclude at the Olympia in Paris in 2025.
The tone of her voice quickly betrays Mireille Mathieu’s excitement when the time comes to talk about this long-awaited reunion – on both sides – with Quebec music lovers.
“Oh, I’m so happy to come back to sing in Quebec! I know it’s been a long time – 35 years, anyway – so it touches me a lot to know that the Quebec public has not forgotten me. Quebec has always welcomed me with open arms,” she breathes.
“I did the Olympia in Paris in 2014 and there were a lot of people who came from Quebec to see the show. I find it fantastic that they travel so far to hear me sing! So this time, it’s my turn to go see them,” she continues, all smiles.
“Like a love date”
Nevertheless, Mireille Mathieu knows very well that it is with a strong stomach that she will take the stage at Place des Arts in Montreal next weekend. Because even 60 years of career – and success – have not succeeded in ridding her of this inevitable stage fright which assails her before each of her shows.
“I still have stage fright! I ask myself lots of questions; am I going to be okay? Am I going to live up to what is expected of me? I especially don’t want to disappoint the public. But I think it’s normal to have stage fright. After all, every concert is like a love date with the audience. And when the heart beats so hard, it’s a sign that the passion is still there,” says Mireille Mathieu.
- Mireille Mathieu will be in concert at the Place des Arts in Montreal on February 17 and 18, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec on February 20 and at the Salle Maurice-O’Bready in Sherbrooke on February 23.
Mireille Mathieu opens up about…
Her famous hairstyle:
“I often hear people say: “Mireille Mathieu always has her hair like that!” But I love my hairstyle. This hairstyle is timeless; all the models in the shows have the same one. So yes, I love it!”
His many duets:
“These are experiences that are so enriching and rewarding. Singing with artists who do the same job, but who have a different style, voice or even language, you always learn something.”
The evolution of the music industry:
“I arrived at the right time. Before, the song took time to reach people’s homes and they had time to listen to it; we took the time to discover it as we take the time to taste a good wine or champagne. And she left an indelible mark on our hearts. Now we listen to it and move on very quickly. We like it, we find it good or even very good, but we are immediately ready for something new and so on.”
Edith Piaf:
“It’s thanks to her that I became known, I performed her songs at the Game of luck from Télé-Dimanche. I have often been called “The new Piaf”. It’s a great compliment for the young beginner that I was, but at the same time, it added a lot of pressure. It’s a double-edged sword.”
The rest of his career:
“I want to continue recording more songs, releasing songs that people love in remastered versions, working with other singers… I don’t know exactly what the future holds for me, but this tour will is not a farewell tour!”