Gilles photographied in 1975 by Erling Mandelmann

Jean Villard, known as Gilles (2 June 1895 in Montreux (Switzerland) – 26 March 1982 in Vevey), originating from Daillens, was a French Swiss multi-talented chansonnier, poet, humorist, comedian, actor, and cabaretist. He was friends with Édith Piaf, Ernest Ansermet, Jacques Brel, Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault and met also with Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. He gave his last interview in December, 1981 at his home, where he confided that "I have always tried my best to be a poet."

One of Lausanne's parks, on the Avenue du Théâtre, now bears his name. He served in the Swiss Army during World War I in Soubey, Jura, recalling that he defended the bridge that crosses the river Doubs.

Contents

• 1 Roles at the Theatre
• 2 Chansonnier
• 3 Cabaret owner
• 4 Some well-known works of his
• 5 Books
• 6 Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières
• 7 Bibliography
• 8 Notes
• 9 External links

Roles at the Theatre

• 1919: L'histoire du soldat from Igor Stravinski and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz
• 1920-1930: Several roles at the "Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier" in Paris, directed by Jacques Copeau
• 1920: Cromedeyre-le-Vieil by Jules Romains, directed by Jacques Copeau, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
• 1930: Plays in «:La Compagnie des Quinze:»
• 1931: La Mauvaise Conduite d'après Plaute, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier

Chansonnier

• 1932-1939 duo «:Gilles et Julien:», with A.-M. Julien (Aman Maistre (1903-2001)
• 1940-1948 duo with Édith Burger,
• 1948-1975 duo with Albert Urfer

Cabaret owner

• 1940:: he founded the cabaret «:Coup de Soleil:» in Lausanne with Edith Burger, an anti-National Socialist German Workers' Party, resistance, gathering place
• 1947:: he founded the cabaret «:Chez Gilles:» in Paris
  • discovers Jacques Brel, then an unknown beginner whom he immediately hired.
• 1955:: «:Chez Gilles:» in Lausanne

Some well-known works of his

• 1932: Dollar, first «:chanson française engagée:» of the 20th century
• 1936: La Belle France the anthem of the French Resistance Popular Front
• 1940: Les trois cloches interpreted by Édith Piaf with Les Compagnons de la chanson
• 1940: 14 juillet
• 1948: Le Bonheur
• 1951: A L'Enseigne de la Fille Sans Cœur interpreted by Édith Piaf
• 1954: La Venoge
• 1958: Nos Colonels

Books

• 1943, «:Les Histoires de Gilles:»
• 1954, «:Mon demi siècle:», Librérie Payot
• 1960, «:La Venoge et autres poèmes:» - images by Géa Augsburg, Editions du Verseau et Librairie Payot, Lausanne
• 1963, «:Chansons que tout cela:!», (Le meilleur de Gilles:», tome I)
• 1969, «:Mon demi siècle et demi:», Payot
• 1971, «:Le dernier mot:», (Le meilleur de Gilles", tome II)
• 1978, «:Amicalement vôtre, Récits, chansons et souvenir:», Editions Pierre-Marcel Favre

Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières

• 1950 «:P*age de l'étoile:»
• 1960 «:La Grange aux Roud:»

Bibliography

• Albert Urfer, Qui va piano..., 1978
• Alex Décotte, Le siècle de Gilles, 1995
• Le meilleur de Gilles (3 volumes), Publi-Libris, 2003 ISBN:2-940251-02-9
• Joël Aguet (2005). "Jean Villard Gilles". In Andreas Kotte (ed.). Theaterlexikon der Schweiz (TLS) / Dictionnaire du théâtre en Suisse (DTS) / Dizionario Teatrale Svizzero / Lexicon da teater svizzer (in French). Vol.:1. Zürich: Chronos. pp.:713–714. ISBN:978-3-0340-0715-3. LCCN:2007423414. OCLC:62309181.

Notes

External links

• Bibliographie
• Poésie La Venoge de Jean Villard-Gilles and much valuable information on "Vaudois" language. (This oeuvre is an integral part of the collective memory of a citizen of the canton of Vaud, as they were taught to recite it by heart at school from an early age).
• Vidéo Jean Villard Gilles chante et raconte des histoires vaudoises, des vidéos du site des archives de la TSR Télévision Suisse Romande TSR