At 74 years old, with a more than admirable career in cinema and theater, two albums with which he gave more than 150 shows in France, Daniel Auteuil had nothing to prove by coming to sing in Quebec. He still wanted to do it, out of respect and admiration for the local poets who inspired him throughout his life.
“Why did I fly seven hours when I hate flying? Because Quebec artists have been inspirations for me, and I want to give it back to you,” Daniel Auteuil told his audience, from the first minute of his show, Thursday, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec.
In interview with The newspaper, Wednesday, in addition to showing admiration for our defense of French, Mr. Auteuil mentioned Jean-Pierre Ferland and Félix Leclerc among his poetry models. Then, during his performance, he allowed himself a nice reference to Beau Dommage, telling a story whose star was a certain melancholy seal. For him, Quebec is not a B series France, and it shows.
Sober, but successful
Accompanied by four musicians, without major effects of light or artifice, Daniel Auteuil performed the majority of the tracks from his latest album, If you’re afraid, don’t be afraid of lovepublished in March 2023. Through Inconsolable And The carriagetaken from his own repertoire, he also took a turn towards that of Georges Brassens, with the delicate Walk to the moon.
The spectators were few in number, but those who were there adhered to what the Frenchman proposed, clapping their hands and getting up to stretch to the sound of his music.
During this sober, but intimate and warm performance, he took the time to address his audience, either by remembering his debut on stage at the age of four, or by sharing moments experienced with his son, now 14 years old.
Mr. Auteuil saved some of his best titles for last, like Small cuts, Rose’s son and The same tears, but he was forgiven by performing the first twice rather than once.
“Thanks for the snow yesterday, and thanks for the warmth tonight!” “, he said at the Grand Théâtre, before leaving the stage.
Daniel Auteuil will continue his journey in Quebec with shows at the Théâtre Patriote in Sainte-Agathe on April 27, at the Théâtre Outremont in Montreal on April 30 and May 1, then at the Théâtre de la ville de Longueuil on May 2.
