Anne Sylvestre

Anne Sylvestre (, born Anne-Marie Beugras; 20 June 1934 – 30 November 2020) was a French singer-songwriter.

Biography Anne Sylvestre was born in Lyon on 20 June 1934. She was the daughter of Albert Beugras and the sister of writer Marie Chaix. Her father was a politician turned collaborationist during the Occupation of France. Marie Chaix wrote a book about their father's role during the Occupation, Les Lauriers du lac de Constance (1974).

While studying literature at the Sorbonne in the fifties, Sylvestre started singing in cabarets and was discovered by Michel Valette. Jean-Claude Pascal recorded her song "Porteuse d'eau" (Waterbearer) under the title "La terre" (The Dirt, 1958). She started recording in 1959, and Georges Brassens wrote a preface for her second album (1962). Since 1962, she also wrote and sang for children (Fabulettes). She wrote a song for Serge Reggiani, "La Maumariée" (The Wrongly-Wed Bride, 1968). She recorded a comical duet with Boby Lapointe, "Depuis l'temps que j'l'attends mon prince charmant" (I've been waiting for my prince charming for ages, 1969).

In 1973, she created her own recording company to release her albums. In 1987, she put on a show with Quebec singer Pauline Julien (Gémeaux croisées, Crossed Gemini, 1987–1988). With fellow singer Michèle Bernard, she put on a show aimed at children, Lala et le Cirque du vent (Lala and the Wind's Circus, 1992–1996).

Her songs encompass a large range of subjects. Her love songs are often in a nostalgic mode ("Le Pêcheur de perles", The Pearl Fisher, 1967; "La Chambre d'or", Golden Room, 1969). Some of her songs could not be broadcast because of their strong engagement, and others contain profanity, for instance "Les Gens qui doutent" (Doubting People, 1977). She also supported same-sex marriage ("Gay marions-nous", 2007).

Anne Sylvestre died on November 30, 2020 in Neuilly-sur-Seine after having a stroke. She was about to go on tour at that time. She was interred in the family vault in Saint-Eusèbe, Saône-et-Loire.

Discography

Awards 1963 : Grand Prix du disque de l'Académie Charles-Cros 1965 : Grand Prix du disque de l'Académie Charles-Cros 2009 : Grande médaille de la chanson française