Mireille Mathieu celebrates 60 years of love from her audience

Mireille Mathieu kicks off her tour in the Olympia Hall in Paris with performances from October 24 to 26. This will be followed by a concert in Lausanne, then appearances in Belgium, Germany and Eastern Europe and in Canada in 2027. Incidentally, she began her career on June 28, 1964, when she won a singing competition in her home town of Avignon in south-eastern France.

Mireille Mathieu, you can look back on a career spanning six decades. How does that make you feel?

Mathieu: "It's a big milestone, but I don't really think about it. I'm still singing as I did on the first day and for as long as I can. I work every day to maintain my voice. I am a very disciplined person. What I appreciate most is that I still have the chance to live my passion, and that's great. I am very grateful."

Could you have imagined such a career at the start of your career?

Mathieu: "No, everything happened very quickly and I quickly forgot about time. During my first appearance on Télé-Dimanche (a French TV show at the time, editor's note) on November 21, 1965, which I won five times in a row, I only sang for my parents and my siblings. The camera really intimidated me. I wasn't even aware of it. Since then, my best reward has been the love of the audience. 60 years is a great love story."

How are you dealing with this anniversary tour?

Mathieu: "I'm scared to death! I don't think I've ever had so much stage fright! It's always like this when I sing in France because it's my home country and I'll be seeing my old audience again, who gave me a chance."

You will also be performing again at the Olympia in Paris. What does this venue mean to you?

Mathieu: "It's my favorite concert hall. It's magical when the audience is so close and gives you their extraordinary love. I sang for the first time on December 28, 1965 at the Olympia, opening for Sacha Distel and Dionne Warwick with 'Mon Credo' and three songs by Madame (Edith) Piaf, to whom I owe so much. Being compared to this great lady was the best compliment for the beginner I was back then."

What have you planned for your career anniversary?

Mathieu: "I will be performing with the 14 musicians in my orchestra and three backing singers. The orchestra will accompany me everywhere abroad. I will perform my repertoire, the songs that the audience loves and rarities such as 'La Voix de Dieu', which was translated into French by Claude Lemesle. I always sing without a teleprompter. I've learned that the gaze reflects the soul, so I always look the audience in the eye. I'm starting this tour at the Olympia and the last anniversary concert will be at my home in Avignon. It's a tradition."

How do you see your status as an ambassador for French chanson?

Mathieu: "I'm not looking for a title. I'm just proud to represent my country on stage. That spurs me on to live up to this responsibility. In 1978, I was overwhelmed when I was chosen to represent Marianne in the town halls, like Brigitte Bardot a few years earlier."

Which song from your repertoire do you like best?

Mathieu: "I was lucky enough to have exceptional authors and composers such as Francis Lai, Michel Legrand, Maurice Jarre, Eddy Marnay, Maurice Vidalin, Claude Lemesle and many others... Mon Credo' was my first song, so it has a very special place in my heart, as does 'Mille colombes'. Today, more than ever, we need peace in the world..."