Jean Villard
born on 2/6/1895 in Montreux, VD, Switzerland
died on 26/3/1982 in Saint-Saphorin (Lavaux), VD, Switzerland
Jean Villard Gilles
Jean Villard a.k.a. Gilles (June 2, 1895 in Montreux (Switzerland) – March 26, 1982 in Vevey), originating from Daillens, was a French Swiss multi-talented chansonnier, poet, humorist, comedian, actor, and cabaretist. He was friends with Édith Piaf, Ernest Ansermet, Jacques Brel, Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault and met also with Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. He gave his last interview in December, 1981 at his home, where he confided that "I have always tried my best to be a poet."
One of Lausanne's parks, on the Avenue du Théâtre, now bears his name. He served in the Swiss Army during World War I in Soubey, Jura, recalling that he defended the bridge that crosses the Doubs River.
Roles at the Theatre
- 1919 « L'histoire du soldat » from Igor Stravinski and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz
- 1920-1930 Several roles at the "Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier" in Paris, directed by Jacques Copeau
- 1920 : Cromedeyre-le-Vieil by Jules Romains, directed by Jacques Copeau, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
- 1930 Plays in « La Compagnie des Quinze »
- 1931 «La Mauvaise Conduite d'après Plaute », Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
Chansonnier
- 1932-1939 duo « Gilles et Julien », with Julien (Aman Maistre(1903-2001)
- 1940-1948 duo with Edith Burger,[1]
- 1948-1975 duo with Albert Urfer
Cabaret owner
- 1940 : he founded the cabaret « Coup de Soleil » in Lausanne with Edith Burger,[1] an anti-Nazi, resistance, gathering place
- 1947 : he founded the cabaret « Chez Gilles » in Paris
- discovers Jacques Brel, then an unknown beginner whom he immediately hired.
- 1955 : « Chez Gilles » in Lausanne
Some well-known works of his
- 1932 Dollar, first « chanson française engagée » of the
- 1936 La Belle France the anthem of the French Resistance Front populaire
- 1940 Les trois cloches interpreted by Édith Piaf with Les Compagnons de la chanson
- 1940 14 juillet
- 1948 Le Bonheur
- 1951 A L'Enseigne de la Fille Sans Cur interpreted by Édith Piaf
- 1954 La Venoge
- 1958 Nos Colonels
Books
- 1943, « Les Histoires de Gilles »
- 1954, « Mon demi siècle », Librérie Payot
- 1960, « La Venoge et autres poèmes » - images by Géa Augsburg, Editions du Verseau et Librairie Payot, Lausanne
- 1963, « Chansons que tout cela !», (Le meilleur de Gilles », tome I)
- 1969, « Mon demi siècle et demi », Payot
- 1971, « Le dernier mot », (Le meilleur de Gilles", tome II)
- 1978, « Amicalement vôtre, Récits, chansons et souvenir », Editions Pierre-Marcel Favre
Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières
- 1950 « Passage de l'étoile »
- 1960 « La Grange aux Roud »
Bibliography
- Albert Urfer, Qui va piano..., 1978
- Alex Décotte, Le siècle de Gilles, 1995
- Le meilleur de Gilles (3 tomes), Publi-Libris, 2003 ISBN 2-940251-02-9
Notes
- 1.0 1.1 Vidéo: Hommage à Edith, an archive from Télévision Suisse Romande
External links
- Bibliographie
- Poésie La Venoge de Jean Villard-Gilles and much valuable information on "Vaudois" language. (This oeuvre is an integral part of the collective memory of a citizen of the canton of Vaud, as they were taught to recite it by heart at school from an early age).
- Vidéo Jean Villard Gilles chante et raconte des histoires vaudoises, des vidéos du site des archives de la TSR Télévision Suisse Romande TSR
This article uses material from the article Jean Villard Gilles from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.