International Chanson
The chanson is a genre you have to give yourself time to discover, because it contains as many topics as life itself.
Sometimes, a chanson can portray social critique or injustice to humanity, as the poetic, haunting melodies and lyrics by George Moustaki did...
...or it tells a melancholy story of loss, betrayal and love, as the equally poetic melodies and lyrics of the Italian chansonnier Luigi Tenco reflect.
Whatever the topic, all chansonniers have one thing in common: they touch the audience so deeply with the interpretation of their songs that no one remains indifferent to them.
Luigi Tenco (21 March 1938 – 27 January 1967)
A musical poet far ahead of his times...
© Ani Corné | From My Archives - newly edited
Luigi Tenco is said to have taken his own life... misunderstood and never fully appreciated during his life-time for the genius he indeed was.
His melodies and poetic lyrics, however, are an immortal legacy.
Background
In 1967, Tenco took part in the Italian Song Festival in Sanremo. It was rumored he had participated against his will. The song he presented was "Ciao Amore Ciao" ("Bye Love, Bye"), which he sang together with his fiancée, the well known chanson singer Dalida.
Tenco allegedly committed suicide on January 27, 1967 (he was 29 years old at that time), after learning his song had been eliminated from the final round of the competition in the festival. Tenco was found by Dalida in his hotel room with a bullet wound in his left temple and a note explaining that his death was to be seen as protest against a corrupt jury which had decided against him and, thus, disregarded the public's choice during the competition.
Only days earlier, Tenco's wedding to Dalida had been announced.
SHOP
Something I dabbled in yeas ago
Quotes
NextPerfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry