Claude-Michel Schönberg

ClaudeMichel Schönberg born 6 July 1944 in Vannes is a French record producer actor singer songwriter and musical theatre composer best known for his collaborations with lyricist Alain Boublil Major works include La Révolution Française 1973 Les Misérables 1980 Miss Saigon 1989 Martin Guerre 1996 The Pirate Queen 2006 and Marguerite 2008 Schönberg began his career as a record producer and a singer He wrote most of the music for the French musical and rock opera La Révolution Française Frances first rock opera in 1973 He played the role of King Louis XVI in the shows production that year In 1974 he wrote the music and the lyrics of the song Le Premier Pas which became the number one hit in France that year selling over one million copies Le Premier Pas was produced by Franck Pourcel That year he also wrote a French version of the ABBA song Waterloo which was recorded by the group Schönberg then made an album in which he sang his own compositions In 1978 he dedicated his attention to musicals when he and Alain Boublil conceived the idea for a stage musical version of Victor Hugos Les Misérables The original production was staged at the Palais de Sports in Paris in 1980 In 1985 and 1987 respectively the musical opened in London and on Broadway to acclaim in each instance The Broadway production was nominated for twelve Tony Awards in 1987 and won eight including Best Musical and Best Original Score In 1989 Schönberg and Boublil produced the London showing of the musical Miss Saigon which starred Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce In its transition to Broadway the show broke advanceticket sales earning 24 million before its premiere on 11 April 1991 The show was nominated for ten Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score In 1997 Schönberg and Boublil premiered a new musical Martin Guerre at the Prince Edward Theatre in London The musical won the 1997 Olivier Award and went on to tour the UK and the United States In 2001 Schönberg composed his first ballet score Wuthering Heights This production was performed by the United Kingdoms Northern Ballet Theatre Company in September 2002 Schönbergs next project with Boublil was The Pirate Queen a musical about the 16thcentury Irish pirate chieftain and adventuress Grace OMalley The Pirate Queen completed its eightweek preBroadway tryout at Chicagos Cadillac Palace Theatre on 26 November 2006 and underwent further development in preparation for Broadway at the Hilton Theater in March 2007 The Broadway opening date was 5 April 2007 Miss Saigon colyricist Richard Maltby Jr worked with Boublil on revisions to the book and lyrics and Graciela Daniele worked on the musical staging Following a critical savaging and poor ticket sales The Pirate Queen closed on 17 June 2007 after 85 performances and 32 previews resulting in a loss of almost 18 million ranking it among the largest commercial flops in Broadway history Source Article ClaudeMichel Schönberg from Wikipedia in English licensed under CCBYSA 30