Chanson – Dan Menasche: “Every song Aznavour wrote is a story — and I get to tell it”
With a rich voice, a magnetic presence, and a profound love for the French chanson, Dan Menasche brings the work of Charles Aznavour to life. Born in Belgium and based in Paris, Dan has built a career across major musicals and high-profile concert halls — including Disney’s prestigious musical productions (e.g. The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast). But it’s in chanson’s intimate, emotional world where his artistry truly shines.
A storyteller’s legacy
“When they called me and said, ‘We’re doing a show about Piaf and Aznavour,’ I didn’t even hesitate,” Dan says with a laugh. “In my head, I just thought: please let it be Aznavour. And when it was, I said yes immediately.”
His admiration runs deep. “Aznavour is the French singer. Not just in France — in the world. He’s a poet. A storyteller. Every song he wrote is a story you get to act out. That’s what I love. It’s more than just music — it’s theatre.”
Dan's top three Aznavour songs
Pressed to choose, Dan offers a few highlights from the upcoming show. “Definitely She, La Bohème, and Emmenez-moi.” Besides that, he tells us about the song that means the most to him: “That would be Je me voyais déjà. That song tells Aznavour’s own story, arriving in Paris at 18 with nothing but ambition and dreams.”
He pauses, thoughtful. “He sings, ‘I already saw myself up there, on stage.’ And then he did it. That song feels personal. It’s inspiring. In a way, it’s every performer’s dream.”
Dan also tells about the rare fortune of meeting Aznavour once — in a restaurant in Paris. “He was so kind. So humble. He really took the time. You’d never know he was one of the biggest artists in the world. That humility stayed with me. It made me admire him even more.”
Music beyond language
For those who may not understand French, Dan offers reassurance — and an invitation. “First of all, many of the songs we perform — by Piaf, Brel, Aznavour — are famous. People know them, even if they don’t speak the language. The melodies, the emotion, the atmosphere — it’s universal.”
“But beyond that,” he continues, “we will live these songs on stage. We’re not just singing them, we’re feeling them. And the audience will feel that too. You don’t need to understand every word to understand the heart of a song. Music, when it’s honest, translates everything.”
Get your tickets!
Chanson will be touring various theatres across the Netherlands. Get your tickets here!
Also read our interviews with Marc Forno, Janneke Elisabeth, and Filip Jordens.
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