YEREVAN, Armenia — French President Emmanuel Macron surprised attendees at an elegant state dinner this week by taking the stage to perform beloved French ballads, including the classic tune “La Bohème.”
The musical performance took place Monday evening at Armenia’s presidential residence, where Macron was accompanied by an unlikely backing band featuring Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on drums and renowned jazz artist Vahagn Hayrapetyan on piano. Beyond “La Bohème,” originally made famous by Armenian-French artist Charles Aznavour in 1965, the French president also performed “Les Feuilles Mortes,” a song popularized by Yves Montand.
The dinner celebration was organized to honor Macron during his official state visit to Armenia, which aligned with a European Political Community meeting and a significant European Union summit taking place in the region.
Prime Minister Pashinyan, who assumed leadership in 2018, frequently showcases his musical abilities through his band Varchaband, which performed their inaugural concert in Yerevan in late January.
The Armenian Prime Minister has gained attention for sharing videos of himself enjoying music on Instagram, displaying diverse musical preferences that range from pop star Taylor Swift to hip-hop artists Travis Scott and A$AP Rocky.
