Gilles Vigneault
Encyclopedia
Gilles Vigneault, is a Canadian poet
, publisher and singer-songwriter
, and well-known Quebec nationalist
and sovereigntist.
A poet deeply rooted in his native Quebec, Vigneault has become an icon at home and Quebec ambassador abroad. He is one of the principal figures of the generation of chansonnier
s who helped the Quebec chanson find its own identity, even while helping it find a universal dimension.
, on the far north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, he was educated in Rimouski and Quebec City
.
Vigneault started writing poetry during his studies at the Seminary in Rimouski, and by the 1950s was publishing poems and writing songs. In 1959 he founded a publishing house, Les Éditions de l'Arc to distribute his publications. His first collection, Étraves was published in 1959.
In August 1960, at the request of the audience at the boîte à chansons L'Arlequin in Quebec City, he agreed to sing his earliest song: Jos Monferrand, written in 1957, which had been recorded by Jacques Labrecque in 1959. This was the beginning of his singing career which sprang up in 1962, when he received the Grand prix du disque from Montreal
radio station CKAC. His reputation grew in Quebec and elsewhere with the success of his song Mon Pays
, from the sound track of the NFB
film La neige a fondu sur la Manicouagan (1965).
In the last half of the 1960s, Vigneault started to perform outside of Quebec, notably in France
, but also elsewhere in Canada
, including appearances at the Mariposa Folk Festival
and at Massey Hall
, in Toronto
.
The mid-1970s saw Vigneault's participation in several major events. On 13 August 1974 130,000 spectators came together on the Plains of Abraham
for the Superfrancofête, where Vigneault participated in an historic concert alongside Félix Leclerc
, a representative, in a way, of the older generation, and Robert Charlebois
, of the younger generation. A highpoint of the concert was the threesome's rendition of Raymond Lévesque's powerful Quand les hommes vivront d'amour.
On 24 June 1975, during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
concert on Montreal's Mount Royal
, Vigneault sang for the first time Gens du pays
, a song which has since become a sort of anthem in Quebec.
In 1976, the Ensemble Claude-Gervaise recorded an album of Vigneault's music entitled Tout l'monde est malheureux: "Claude-Gervaise" Joue Vigneault
.
An ardent Quebec nationalist, Vigneault was disappointed by the results of the 1980 Quebec referendum
. During the 1980s he lived in France
for a short time.
On 25 February 2010, Gilles Vigneault has signed, together with 500 artists, the call to support the international campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israeli apartheid.
1960-1990: Chemin faisant, cent et une chansons (1990)
Vigneault has received numerous awards and honours:
He is a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec
(2000), Knight of the Légion d'honneur
(1986), and Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
(1990).
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, publisher and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, and well-known Quebec nationalist
Quebec nationalism
Quebec nationalism is a nationalist movement in the Canadian province of Quebec .-1534–1774:Canada was first a french colony. Jacques Cartier claimed it for France in 1534, and permanent French settlement began in 1608. It was part of New France, which constituted all French colonies in North America...
and sovereigntist.
A poet deeply rooted in his native Quebec, Vigneault has become an icon at home and Quebec ambassador abroad. He is one of the principal figures of the generation of chansonnier
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
s who helped the Quebec chanson find its own identity, even while helping it find a universal dimension.
Biography
Born in NatashquanNatashquan, Quebec (municipality)
Natashquan is a township municipality and village in Minganie Regional County Municipality, Côte-Nord region, Quebec, Canada. It should not be confused with the adjacent but separate Innu reserve of Natashquan....
, on the far north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, he was educated in Rimouski and Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
.
Vigneault started writing poetry during his studies at the Seminary in Rimouski, and by the 1950s was publishing poems and writing songs. In 1959 he founded a publishing house, Les Éditions de l'Arc to distribute his publications. His first collection, Étraves was published in 1959.
In August 1960, at the request of the audience at the boîte à chansons L'Arlequin in Quebec City, he agreed to sing his earliest song: Jos Monferrand, written in 1957, which had been recorded by Jacques Labrecque in 1959. This was the beginning of his singing career which sprang up in 1962, when he received the Grand prix du disque from Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
radio station CKAC. His reputation grew in Quebec and elsewhere with the success of his song Mon Pays
Mon Pays
"Mon pays" is a song composed by Gilles Vigneault in 1964.The song was written for the NFB film La Neige a fondu sur la Manicouagan, directed by Arthur Lamothe...
, from the sound track of the NFB
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
film La neige a fondu sur la Manicouagan (1965).
In the last half of the 1960s, Vigneault started to perform outside of Quebec, notably in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but also elsewhere in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, including appearances at the Mariposa Folk Festival
Mariposa Folk Festival
The Mariposa Folk Festival was founded in 1961 in Orillia, Ontario. It was held in Orillia for three years before being banned because of disturbances by festival-goers. After being held in various places in Ontario for a few decades, it returned to Orillia in 2000. Ruth Jones, her husband Dr...
and at Massey Hall
Massey Hall
Massey Hall is a venerable performing arts theatre in the Garden District of downtown Toronto. The theatre originally was designed to seat 3,500 patrons but, after extensive renovations in the 1940s, now seats up to 2,765....
, in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
The mid-1970s saw Vigneault's participation in several major events. On 13 August 1974 130,000 spectators came together on the Plains of Abraham
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years' War...
for the Superfrancofête, where Vigneault participated in an historic concert alongside Félix Leclerc
Félix Leclerc
Félix Leclerc, was a French-Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, writer, actor and Québécois political activist. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 20, 1968...
, a representative, in a way, of the older generation, and Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
, of the younger generation. A highpoint of the concert was the threesome's rendition of Raymond Lévesque's powerful Quand les hommes vivront d'amour.
On 24 June 1975, during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
Fête nationale du Québec
Quebec's National Holiday is celebrated annually on June 24, St. John the Baptist DayIn Quebec, the national holiday is a paid statutory public holiday covered under the Act Respecting Labour Standards...
concert on Montreal's Mount Royal
Mount Royal
Mount Royal is a mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the city to which it gave its name.The mountain is part of the Monteregian Hills situated between the Laurentians and the Appalachians...
, Vigneault sang for the first time Gens du pays
Gens du pays
"Gens du pays" has been called the unofficial national anthem of Quebec. Written by poet, songwriter, and avowed Quebec nationalist Gilles Vigneault , it was first performed by Vigneault on June 24, 1975 during a concert on Montreal's Mount Royal at that year's Fête nationale du Québec ceremony...
, a song which has since become a sort of anthem in Quebec.
In 1976, the Ensemble Claude-Gervaise recorded an album of Vigneault's music entitled Tout l'monde est malheureux: "Claude-Gervaise" Joue Vigneault
Tout l'monde est malheureux
Tout l'monde est malheureux is an album by the Ensemble Claude-Gervaise, an early music group from Montreal, Quebec led by Gilles Plante. The album was released on Solo Records in 1976 as SO 25503....
.
An ardent Quebec nationalist, Vigneault was disappointed by the results of the 1980 Quebec referendum
1980 Quebec referendum
The 1980 Quebec referendum was the first referendum in Quebec on the place of Quebec within Canada and whether Quebec should pursue a path toward sovereignty. The referendum was called by Quebec's Parti Québécois government, which strongly favoured secession from Canada...
. During the 1980s he lived in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for a short time.
On 25 February 2010, Gilles Vigneault has signed, together with 500 artists, the call to support the international campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israeli apartheid.
Discography
A partial discography of Vigneault's work includes:1960-1990: Chemin faisant, cent et une chansons (1990)
| (CD box set containing 6 disks) | |
Honours
Vigneault has received a number of honorary doctorates including:- TrentTrent UniversityTrent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
(1975) - Université du Québec à RimouskiUniversité du Québec à RimouskiThe Université du Québec à Rimouski is a branch of the Université du Québec in Rimouski, Quebec. There is also a campus of the university in Lévis, Quebec, recently moved to a newly constructed building. Founded in 1969, UQAR is one of the most modern in Quebec.This university is well-known for its...
(1979) - Université de MontréalUniversité de MontréalThe Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
(1981).
Vigneault has received numerous awards and honours:
- Prix Félix-Leclerc for the song Mon paysMon Pays"Mon pays" is a song composed by Gilles Vigneault in 1964.The song was written for the NFB film La Neige a fondu sur la Manicouagan, directed by Arthur Lamothe...
(1965) - Governor General's Award for French language poetry or dramaGovernor General's Award for French language poetry or dramaThis is a list of recipients of the Governor General's Award for French-language poetry or drama. The award was created in 1959, alongside the other French language awards, and existed until 1980, when it was divided into the separate awards for poetry and drama.-1950s:*1959: Félix-Antoine Savard,...
(1965) - Prix de musique Calixa-LavalléeCalixa-Lavallée AwardThe Calixa-Lavallée Award is a music award created in 1959. It is granted by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal to a Quebecer having distinguished himself or herself in the field of music...
(1966) - Grand Prix du DisqueL'Académie Charles CrosThe Académie Charles-Cros, is an organization in France that acts as an intermediary between government cultural policy makers and professionals in music and the recording industry....
of the Charles Cros Academy, Paris (in 1970 for Du milieu du pont; in 1984 for two recordings for children: Les Quatre saisons de Piquot and Quelques pas dans l'univers d'Éviola) - Molson PrizeMolson PrizeThe Thomas Henry Pentland Molson Prize for the Arts is awarded by The Canada Council for the Arts. Two prizes are awarded annually to distinguished individuals. One prize is awarded in the arts, one in the social sciences and humanities...
(1982) - Prix Denise-PelletierPrix Denise-PelletierThe Prix Denise-Pelletier is an award by the Government of Quebec that is part of the Prix du Québec, given to individuals for an outstanding career in the performing arts. It is awarded to a creator, performer, stage-craftsman or person who has made a noteworthy contribution in the fields of song,...
conferred by the Quebec government (1983) - Jacques-Blanchet medal (1987)
- Vermeil medal of the City of ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(1990) - Governor General's Performing Arts Awards - Lifetime Artistic Achievement (1993)http://www.bce.ca/ggawards/en/recipient.html?p_vigneault_g
- Canadian Songwriters Hall of FameCanadian Songwriters Hall of FameThe Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is a Canadian non-profit organization, founded in 1998 by Frank Davies, that inducts Canadians into their Hall of Fame within three different categories: songwriters, songs, and those others who have made a significant contribution with respect to...
(2006)
He is a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(2000), Knight of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(1986), and Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
(1990).
See also
- List of Quebec musicians
- List of poets
- Music of QuebecMusic of QuebecBeing a modern cosmopolitan society, today, all types of music can be found in the Canadian province of Quebec. What is specific to Quebec though are traditional songs, a unique variety of Celtic music, legions of excellent jazz musicians, a culture of classical music, and a love of foreign rhythms...
- Culture of QuebecCulture of QuebecThe Culture of Quebec emerged over the last few hundred years, resulting from the shared history of the French-speaking majority in Quebec. It is unique to the Western World; Quebec is the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority, as well as one of only two provinces in Canada...
External links
- Vigneault's style - The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Gilles Vigneault chante son pays - Archives de Radio-Canada (French) Pendant que Gilles Vigneault at Radio-Canada Gilles Vigneault at Québec Info Musique
- "Expo 67 Man and His World - Gilles Vigneault" at Library and Archives Canada
- Canuckistan Music reviews of Mons Pays and Enregistre a Paris LPs