On April 13, Le Patriote theatre had the honour of hosting the legendary French singer-songwriter-composer Yves Duteil. In dazzling form at 69, he provided close to two hours of fabulous musical poetry to an audience he held spellbound.

The presence of the singer, responsible notably for the success of La langue de chez nousand Prendre un enfant, marks the return of a tradition that Alexandre Gélinas would like to renew for his theatre’s audiences: presenting some of France’s great artists more frequently.

”In the days of the boites à chanson (roughly equivalent to coffee houses) at the end of the ‘60s, the Patriote traditionally hosted French singer-songwriter-composers such as Gibert Becaud, Nana Mouskouri, Éva, Barbara and many others,” says Alexandre Gélinas, general manager of the Patriote.

“I’d like to revive the tradition and host French artists when they’re on tour in Québec. I think we have an audience for that,” he notes.

Initially, the first artist who was to perform at the Patriote was none other than Julien Clerc. He had to cancel his tour, however, and reschedule his visit to the Sainte-Agathe theatre.

As it happens, his return will coincide with major renovations to the theatre next fall. “It’s for a good cause,” Alexandre Gélinas consoles himself, emphasizing the coming of Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt on May 11.

The successful Franco-Belgian author, playwright, novelist, producer and actor will present his work Le mystère Carmen,in which Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt retraces the life and body of work of Georges Bizet.

“I’m working on other projects for the theatre’s reopening,” says Alexandre Gélinas. “I’m thinking of three French artists in particular, but I can’t mention their names at this point. I would like to be able to offer at least one per season,” he adds.

Yves Duteil, 40 years later

Onstage, Yves Duteil remains astonishing. His impressive poetry, delivered in a soft, still strong voice, is lovingly cradled by refined musical arrangements. Accompanied by Philippe Nadal, the cellist who has been with him for several decades, by bassist Jacques Roy and percussionist Dominic Cloutier – both Quebecers – Yves Duteil says that he is delighted by his Québec tour.

“That’s an understatement,” he admits. “It’s a dream, an absolute pleasure, a suspended moment in time. We’ve been on a cloud since the very beginning. The welcome from the audiences has been magnificent and from the press, extraordinary.”

“Le Patriote, a mythical place” – Yves Duteil

The poet was particularly delighted to be onstage at Le Patriote, the place where Félix Leclerc and all the Québécois artistswho were for him “an emulation, an inspiration and a transmission” took their first steps.

“All those artists I love and who created for me the image of Québec through their songs, played here,” said Yves Duteil to us in an interview, just after his show.

“A place is not insignificant,” the artist maintains. “It is imbued with emotions that remain in the walls. What we imprinted here tonight will permeate its walls.

There is an enormous amount of emotion felt because the singing takes place here, at the Patriote. It’s a mythical place – the story of Québec in song, which has taken place over the decades.”

In the footsteps of Victor Hugo: the consecration of forty years of fabulous poetry

Onstage, as the singer finished the last notes of his famous ode to our language – kept for the closing moments of his exceptional singing tour – Alexandre Gélinas presented a bouquet of flowers to the artist.

We then learned that Yves Duteil had just been awarded the Grand Prix de la Société des Poètes Français (the Grand Prix of the Society of French Poets), founded in 1902 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Victor Hugo.

“This Grand Prix, created by Sully Prudhomme and José Maria de Heredia, I accept as a mark of esteem from the Committee. Walking thus in the footsteps of Victor Hugo can in itself give one an idea of the privilege it represents, in my eyes, to have this milestone placed on my path,” Yves Duteil writes on his blog, to show his appreciation for this award, which was conferred while he was on tour in Québec.

blog.yvesduteil.com / theatrepatriote.com