Class 6 - Les Amusements de la Belle Epoque

The period between 1871 (end of the siege of Paris) and 1914 (the beginning of World War I) is known as La Belle Epoque. It was a period of peace of prosperity, as we have seen, which contrasted with the horrific years of war that came before and after. During this time, the middle and upper classes enjoyed a variety of forms of entertainment - from the opera, which catered to the elite, to the cabaret, which entertained a more bourgeois clientele - and then there was the circus...

The Opera Garnier has been called "the most famous opera house in the world, a symbol of Paris, like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and Sacré Coeur Basilica." It was the most expensive building constructed during the Second Empire. Click on the image of it below to learn more:

It might suprise you to hear that the most popular opera composer in Paris during the 19th century was an Italian - Gioachino Rossini! His first opera was performed in Venice. In mid-life he moved to Paris and taught himself French. Rossini broke away from traditional forms of opera, using unusual rhythms and bringing the orchestra to the fore. His grand opera - William Tell - written in French - was a huge success at the Paris Opera. Listen to the famous Overture from William Tell. (The famous lively part begins at about 8 minutes...) These are melodies that le tout Paris (the affluent elite) would be humming as they strolled along the Champs Elysees.

It's hard to think of Paris without envisioning those sidewalk cafés. Click on the image below to read a short history of the Parisian café:

And then there is the Parisian restaurant. The French have one of the greatest cuisines of the world. Click below to see how it all got started:

One of the most opulent restaurants of the 19th century, Le Grand Vefour, was situated in the Place des Voges. You can still dine there today. Click on the image below to learn more:

While le Tout Paris dined in elegant restaurants, those seeking a more "down to earth" experience visited the cabarets. The Parisian cabaret dates back to 1881, when Rodolphe Salis, a cook, created Le Chat Noir on Montmartre. His plan was to supplement the meals he served with a range of entertainment: poetry readings, shadow theater, songs and comic sketches. And then everything began to change. Click on the image below to read a short history of the cabaret:

Erik Satie played the piano for the various singers at Le Chat Noir. He also wrote original songs for the cabaret performers. Click on the drawing of Satie below to listen to one of his songs that was popular at the time, and it still is today. (After the brief opening dialogue, the song begins.) As you listen, try to imagine yourself sitting in Le Chat Noir back in the 19th century. (After listening to this, you can skip down to the end of this page to hear a beloved cabaret singer of the 20th century, Edith Piaf.)

Wasn't that beautiful? If you want to hear it again while reading the words (both French and English), click here:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a painter, printmaker, and caricaturist. When the Moulin Rouge opened in 1889, he was commissioned to produce a series of posters to advertise it. The cabaret soon became a second home, where a seat was always reserved for him to paint and to entertain his friends. He produced over 75 posters, for which he mastered the then evolving printmaking technique of lithography. He is also famous for his paintings of Parisian nightlife. Click on the image below to learn more about his art:

But he is most famous for his posters. Click on the image below to learn more about the process of lithography:

Want to see the specific process of creating a lithograph? See below:

Toulouse-Lautrec also visited the local circuses, sketchpad in hand. See below:

Edith Piaf was a French singer known for singing cabaret and modern chanson genres. She is considered Frence's greatest popular singer and one of themost celebrated performers of the 20th century. Known as "the little sparrow," she sang in such cabarets as Au Lapin Agile on Montmartre and, later, L'Olympia. One of her most popular songs was Milord. Listen to it below (and do notice the rhythm of the can-can at the end!):

For those of you who want to see the French words...

Allez venez, Milord Vous asseoir à ma table Il fait si froid dehors Ici, c'est confortable

Laissez-vous faire, Milord Et prenez bien vos aises vos peines sur mon cœur Et vos pieds sur une chaise

Je vous connais, Milord Vous ne m'avez jamais vue Je ne suis qu'une fille du port Une ombre de la rue

Pourtant, je vous ai frôlé Quand vous passiez hier Vous n'étiez pas peu fier Dame, le ciel vous comblait

Votre foulard de soie Flottant sur vos épaules Vous aviez le beau rôle On aurait dit le roi

Vous marchiez en vainqueur Au bras d'une demoiselle Mon Dieu, qu'elle était belle J'en ai froid dans le cœur

Allez venez, Milord etc.

Dire qu'il suffit parfois Qu'il y ait un navire Pour que tout se déchire Quand le navire s'en va

Il emmenait avec lui La douce aux yeux si tendres Qui n'a pas su comprendre Qu'elle brisait votre vie

L'amour, ça fait pleurer Comme quoi l'existence Ça vous donne toutes les chances Pour les reprendre après

Allez venez, Milord... vous avez l'air d'un môme Laissez-vous faire, Milord Venez dans mon royaume

Je soigne les remords Je chante la romance Je chante les milords Qui n'ont pas eu de chance

Regardez-moi, Milord vous ne m'avez jamais vue Mais vous pleurez, Milord Ça, je l'aurais jamais cru

Eh, bien voyons, Milord Souriez-moi, Milord Mieux que ça, un petit effort Voilà, c'est ça!

Allez riez, Milord Allez chantez, Milord Ta da da da da da

Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da

Mais oui, dansez, Milord Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da

Bravo, Milord Ta da da da da da ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da

Encore, Milord Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da

Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da da Ta da da da da daTa da da da da da

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