You became famous a year after the untimely death of chanson diva Édith Piaf in 1963. Did you take it so that you were taking over the baton after the singer, so to speak?
At first, yes. I won a singing competition in Avignon with her songs La Vie En Rose and Hymne A L’Amour. Thanks to the win, I entered the TV talent show Jeu de la Chance on Télé-Dimanche, where I performed Jezebel in November 1965.
In it, viewers voted by phone who they would like to see on the screens the following week. They chose me and I sang a song by Édith Piaf again, this time Soudain une vallée. I have a similar voice to her, so her songs suited me, and the audience immediately called me the new Édith Piaf. But my manager Johnny Stark later invented his own repertoire for me.
How do you remember your first meeting with a future manager?
We met in the TV studio right after my second appearance at Télé-Dimanche. He asked me if I would like to work with him. But he immediately said that it will be very challenging, because the music business is tough and you need to have a lot of discipline.
Marie Rottrová will present her father’s Christmas Mass: For me, the concert is a sprinkling of living water
Music
Even so, I felt like I was in a fairy tale. In just five weeks, I went from a TV competition to a concert at the Olympia Hall in Paris, which took place at the end of December 1965.
Did your expectations come true then?
The manager went to Avignon to see my parents, with whom he negotiated my transfer to Paris. I was nineteen years old, and in France at that time coming of age did not start until the twenty-first birthday. That’s why my aunt accompanied me to the capital.
I moved out and had no idea what was in front of me. Johnny was quite straightforward with me and it wasn’t easy at first. I was shy, used to singing only in front of my family or at most in church.
I had to overcome my stage fright and learn how to use the microphone and headphones properly in the studio, and quite quickly. Three months after the TV shoot, I recorded my debut album.
Photo: Petr Horník, Novinky
French chansonist Mireille Mathieu at a concert in the Prague Congress Center in 2019
Johnny Stark is said to have made sure that you didn’t think about anything but singing. Did he succeed?
Yes, he really took care of everything carefully and I did nothing but sing and sing. In addition, I went to voice training and lessons in English and German, because from the beginning I sang songs in these languages as well.
During your career, you met Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, you performed several times in front of the British royal family. Does any meeting have a special place in your heart?
Definitely a meeting with Pope John Paul II, with whom we met three times for a private audience, as well as with my mother and sister, who is my manager today (Johnny Stark died in 1989 – editor’s note). It was something extraordinary. He heard the story of our family and my fate after I left Avignon.
The stars are heading to Prague. Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, David Garrett and The Lumineers will be coming next year
Music
When you published the book autobiography Oui je crois (Yes, I believe) in 1988, many saw it as your swan song. Thirty-six years have passed since then and you are still active. What drives you in your work?
I love the stage and performing in front of live audiences. I draw energy from their emotions. However, at my age it is already exhausting to constantly tour the world.
I sing in twelve languages and my experience is that the audience is different in every country. It is not always easy to get it. If they don’t respond warmly to my songs, I know it’s not the audience’s fault, it’s my fault. I then feel the need to improve, train my voice more.
You return to Prague regularly. This year, as in previous years, you will perform with us during Advent. Why at this time?
I adore Prague. In the run-up to Christmas, I’ve been returning to it on purpose for the last ten years. This city has a unique atmosphere during the holiday season that I have not experienced anywhere else. In Prague seven years ago, I recorded the album Mes classiques with the Prague Symphonic Ensemble. We shot a music video for one song at Prague Castle and it was fantastic.
You dedicated your life to music. You haven’t started a family or you’ve never married. Is there anything in your past that you would like to change?
I have never regretted my decisions. Singing is my whole life. In 2019, I performed in front of Pope Francis for the last time and on this occasion I met musicians from all over the world, America, India… I have also always seen the deep meaning of my profession in traveling and getting to know other cultures.
Mireille Mathieu: Singing is my oxygen
Personalities
Mireille Mathieu: Carrying the Torch with a French Flair
Ah, Mireille Mathieu! The one who strutted onto the scene like she was auditioning for Les Misérables while somehow managing to sound like a divine mix of Édith Piaf and a melodious alarm clock. Imagine winning a singing contest with ‘La Vie En Rose’—I mean, who doesn’t want to feature their voice in a rom-com, right? It’s like entering a pie-eating contest with the secret weapon of Aunt Edna’s world-famous blueberry surprise!
She notes that she was anointed as “the new Édith Piaf” as if she were handed a VIP pass to the French music scene. Talk about being given the baton! But don’t worry, folks! No one’s tripping over that baton—unless it’s me, that is! Mireille’s journey from a shy girl in Avignon to belting out tunes in the iconic Olympia Hall in Paris in just five weeks is proof that dreams can be just a flash away… or a lot of hard work and throat lozenges.
Johnny Stark: The Non-Stop Singing Machine
Mireille’s manager, Johnny Stark—what a name! Sounds like he could be a member of an elite spy organization or a guy who just really loves cheese. This chap, with all his charm, promised Mireille a life filled with singing and discipline. I don’t know what’s tougher—being disciplined in a music career or trying to do yoga without the instructor yelling at you for balance. It’s a toss-up!
Now, imagine young Mireille, fresh from singing for her family and testing her vocal cords in church, arriving in Paris, clinging to her aunt like she’s about to jump into a shark tank of showbiz. Three months later, we have an album recorded! Talk about a fast track to fame; you blink, and you might miss it, sort of like when I try to finish an entire season of a show before anyone realizes I’m still wearing pajamas!
Star-Studded Encounters and Papal Privileges
And the company she keeps! Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and even a private audience with Pope John Paul II—someone tell him to step back; she might be looking to recruit him for her next album! Can you imagine? “Pope-approved” tracks! This isn’t just singing; it’s some serious celestial business. If there were a talent show for saints, I’d bet Mireille would be at the top of that list!
The glamour, the glitz, and the glamour again; she’s been at it for decades! And all anyone wants to know is, “Is this your swan song?” Well, fast-paced world, slow down! This lady still lights up the stage more than a child with a glowstick at a rave!
Passion Over Everything
Mireille’s dedication to her craft shines through like a lighthouse guiding lost ships—they might be just fishing boats, but you get the idea. To her, performing is about feeding off the audience’s energy, like a vampire, but with far better outfits. And Prague? She adores it! Can you blame her? That city has charm by the bucket load! You could throw a croissant from any café, and it would land in a romantic movie scene.
As for personal sacrifices? No family or marriage? No worries! Mireille’s had enough romance with her music to fill a library with pamphlets! The stories and cultures she’s experienced on her travels are sure to beat any dinner date conversation! “Oh, you went to Italy? Well, I sang in twelve languages!” Well played, Mireille, well played.
The Curtain Call: A Heartfelt Finish
In the end, she’s not just a diva but a force of nature! With a career that’s as intoxicating as a fine wine and lasting longer than a New Year’s resolution, Mireille Mathieu is a testament that passion doesn’t fade with age; it only gets richer, like a good cheese—strong, pungent, and utterly irresistible!
So here’s to Mireille, who proves that singing is truly her oxygen! May we all find our own ‘stage,’ whether it be in our living rooms or small family gatherings, and belt out our hearts—just maybe consider singing ‘La Vie En Rose’ in the shower instead of next to a professional! Or, you know, do both!
This whimsical take on Mireille Mathieu’s journey encapsulates the essence of her narrative while maintaining a cheeky and observational comedic tone, akin to the styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans. Perfect for engaging an audience looking for both laughter and insight!
You found fame in the wake of the tragic passing of the iconic chanson singer Édith Piaf in 1963. Did you feel a sense of responsibility to carry on her legacy, so to speak?
Initially, yes. My journey began when I triumphed in a prestigious singing competition in Avignon, where I performed Piaf’s timeless classics, La Vie En Rose and Hymne A L’Amour. This win paved my way into the TV talent showcase Jeu de la Chance on Télé-Dimanche, where I captivated audiences with Jezebel in November 1965.
Viewers had the unique opportunity to vote by phone for the artist they wished to see perform the following week. The audience selected me, and I took the stage once again to sing another of Édith Piaf’s beloved songs, Soudain une vallée. With a voice reminiscent of hers, her repertoire naturally suited my style, and the audience promptly bestowed upon me the title of the “new Édith Piaf.” However, my manager Johnny Stark later crafted an original repertoire tailored for my talents.
Can you share your memories of your first encounter with your future manager?
Our paths crossed at the TV studio right after my second appearance on Télé-Dimanche. He asked if I would consider collaborating with him, but he candidly warned me that the road ahead would be demanding, as the music industry is notoriously challenging and requires immense discipline.
Despite the daunting nature of the business, I felt as though I had stepped into a fairy tale. In a mere five weeks, I transitioned from a burgeoning talent in a TV competition to performing at the illustrious Olympia Hall in Paris by late December 1965.
What were your expectations during this transformative time?
The manager traveled to Avignon to converse with my family, negotiating my eventual relocation to Paris. At just nineteen years old, I was still a minor in France since adulthood was not recognized until the age of twenty-one, which is why my aunt accompanied me during this significant move to the capital.
I relocated without a complete understanding of what lay ahead. Johnny was forthright in his expectations, and the initial phase was overwhelming. I was inherently shy, only having sung in front of close family or at church.
I had to conquer my stage fright and master the use of microphones and headphones effectively in the studio, and do so swiftly. Merely three months after my television debut, I recorded my first album.
It’s said that Johnny Stark ensured you would focus solely on singing. Did he succeed in his mission?
Absolutely, he meticulously managed every detail so that my sole focus was on singing. Additionally, I underwent extensive voice training and took lessons in English and German, as I began singing in those languages from the very start of my career.
Throughout your illustrious career, you’ve had the privilege to meet legends like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, as well as perform for the British royal family multiple times. Do any encounters hold a particularly cherished place in your heart?
Without a doubt, my meetings with Pope John Paul II were extraordinary and remain unforgettable. We had three private audiences together, where I was accompanied by my mother and sister, who currently manages my career (after Johnny Stark’s passing in 1989). It was a remarkable experience where he listened to our family’s story and my personal journey after leaving Avignon.
When you published your autobiography Oui je crois (Yes, I believe) in 1988, it was perceived by many as your farewell to performing. It has now been thirty-six years since then, and you remain active in the industry. What motivates you to continue in your craft?
My passion for the stage and performing before live audiences fuels my enthusiasm. I draw immense energy from the emotions of the crowd. However, as I age, the grueling nature of constant world tours has become increasingly exhausting.
I sing in twelve languages, and I’ve learned that audiences can vary dramatically by country. It’s sometimes challenging to gauge their reactions. If they don’t respond positively to my songs, I take it as a cue to improve myself, recognizing that it’s not the audience but rather my own performance quality that may need refining.
You make frequent returns to Prague and plan to perform during Advent this year, just like in past years. What draws you to perform during this particular season?
I am utterly enchanted by Prague. For the past decade, I’ve deliberately returned during the Christmas season, as this city radiates a unique holiday atmosphere that has left a lasting impression on me. Seven years ago, I recorded my album Mes classiques with the Prague Symphonic Ensemble here, and we even filmed a music video at Prague Castle, which was an incredible experience.
You have devoted your life to music, choosing not to start a family or marry. Is there anything in your past that you wish you could change?
I have never regretted my choices. Singing has defined my existence. In 2019, I had the honor of performing in front of Pope Francis, where I encountered musicians from various corners of the globe, from America to India. My profession has always held profound significance for me, as it not only allows me to travel but also to immerse myself in different cultures.
Mireille Mathieu: Singing is my oxygen
Personalities
Ve audiences fuels my desire to continue. Each performance is a new opportunity to connect with people, to share emotions, and to create memories. It’s exhilarating! I feel alive on stage, and the energy of the audience is simply infectious. Music transcends time and borders, and being able to touch hearts through my songs is a privilege I never take for granted.
Moreover, the evolution of music and the passion I see in younger artists inspire me to adapt and grow. While I may have been celebrated as the “new Édith Piaf,” I’ve carved my own identity in this music landscape, and I cherish the journey. The stories, the cultures, the connections — they all contribute to who I am as an artist and a person.
To me, each concert is like opening a new chapter in a never-ending story, rich with experiences waiting to unfold. So, why stop now? As long as there are stages to perform on and audiences to engage with, I’ll keep singing my heart out. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll even find time to write that next chapter in my autobiography while I’m at it!
