Daniel lavoie: offical website

Daniel Lavoie sets himself up in Paris for love of Esmeralda

Marie-Claude Chane-Tune
1998

“I’ve always been a bit uncertain about singing in a musical, especially in France where, apart from “Starmania” there is always a risk. When Luc Plamondon – for whom I took a part in the rock opera “Sands et les romantiques” – suggested to me that I embody an amorous priest in “Notre Dame de Paris” I was tempted, then totally persuaded when I listened to the music of Richard Cocciante even though the part of Frollo is most unrewarding!” Exhausted but delighted at the end of each show, after a standing ovation from the public, Daniel Lavoie always has charm, a smile, an attractive figure, all unavoidably seductive. One was almost astonished that Esmeralda repulsed the love of the archdeacon Frollo and preferred Phoebus to him.

Unable to win over the gipsy girl, the writer-composer of “Ils s’aiment” made a conquest of the public. “I invented Frollo who is a bit like me, sensual but moving and not totally dark. I tried to show his humanity. His death is a sort of suicide. His passion makes a victim of him. He pushes Quasimodo to kill him.”

Installed in Paris since August – rehearsals make it necessary – the handsome Canadian has begun to get homesick for his “country” 40 km from Montréal. He misses his wife, his three children, his forest, where he cuts wood, and his garden. This botanical enthusiast regrets having to leave before gathering in his fruit and vegetables. Daniel also loves France to which he will return, that’s for sure, without letting too many years go by. “I’ve lost enthusiasm for my work, I’ve had too many bad experiences of breaking with people with whom I’ve been contractually bound.” A compilation album of his best songs came out last year. In a few weeks it will be followed by a new album, “Ou la route mène”.