Aristide Bruant facts for kids
Aristide Bruant (born May 6, 1851 – died February 11, 1925) was a famous French singer, comedian, and owner of a nightclub. He is most known for appearing in famous posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. In these posters, he often wore a red scarf and a black cape. Many people also say he created a music style called chanson réaliste, which means "realist song."
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Aristide Bruant's Life Story
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Aristide Bruant was born as Louis Armand Aristide Bruand in a small village in France. When he was fifteen, in 1866, his father passed away. Aristide then left home to find work. He traveled to the Montmartre area of Paris. There, he spent time in cafes where working-class people gathered. Soon, he got a chance to show off his musical skills.
Even though he came from a well-off family, he quickly learned the everyday language of the people he met. He turned their stories and struggles into songs.
Bruant started performing in cafes. He created a singing and comedy act that became very popular. This led him to perform at the famous Le Chat Noir club. He wore a special outfit: a red shirt, a black velvet jacket, tall boots, and a long red scarf. Using the stage name Aristide Bruant, he quickly became a big star in Montmartre. When the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec started visiting these clubs, Bruant became one of his first friends.
In 1885, Bruant opened his own club in Montmartre. He named it "Le Mirliton." He hired other performers, but he also sang his own songs. As the host of the show, he often used funny "insult comedy." He would playfully tease the wealthy guests who came to his club to experience the Montmartre nightlife. His mix of songs, jokes, and entertainment helped create the musical style known as chanson réaliste. This style focused on real-life stories and feelings.
Bruant passed away in Paris and was buried in Subligny's cemetery. This place was close to where he was born. There is a street in Paris called Rue Bruant. However, it was not named after Aristide Bruant. It was named after an architect named Libéral Bruant who lived much earlier.
Famous Songs by Aristide Bruant
Here are some of Aristide Bruant's well-known songs:
- Nini Peau d'Chien
- A la Bastille
- A la Villette
- Meunier tu es cocu
- A Batignolles
- Serrez Vos Rangs
- A la Roquette
- La chanson des Michetons
- A Poissy
- A la Place Maubert
- Les petits joyeux
- Belleville-Menilmontant
- La Greviste
- Le Chat Noir
- Les Mômes de la Cloche
Aristide Bruant in Pop Culture
- On the TV show Doctor Who, the costume designer for the Fourth Doctor (played by Tom Baker) said he was influenced by Lautrec's paintings of Bruant. He wanted to create a "bohemian" look for the character.
- In the video game Yakuza 3, a pub in Tokyo is decorated with Toulouse-Lautrec's paintings of Bruant.
- In a poem called 'Your Paris' by Ted Hughes, he mentions that Sylvia Plath "Called [him] Aristide Bruant."
See also
In Spanish: Aristide Bruant para niños
