Albert Willemetz
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Albert Willemetz (February 14, 1887-1964) was a French librettist of operettas.
Albert Willemetz invented a new type of musical, with an extremely amusing and "sexy" style where all liberties are allowed.
Albert Willemetz was a prolific lyricist. He was the author of more than 3000 songs, including "Mon homme" (popularized in English as "My Man"), "Valentine," "Dans la vie faut pas s'en faire," "Les palétuviers," "Ramona," "Est-ce que je te demande," "Ah si vous connaissiez ma poule," "Amusez-vous," and "Félicie aussi"), more than 100 musicals (including Phi-Phi, Ta Bouche, Là-Haut, Dédé, 3 jeunes filles nues, Florestan 1er, and Trois Valses), more than 100 revues (including seven with Sacha Guitry), and work for films.
He worked with some of the notable musicians of his day, including André Messager, Maurice Yvain, Arthur Honegger, Christiné, Vincent Scotto, Reynaldo Hahn, Moretti, Moises Simons, Van Parys, Szulc, Borel-Clerc, Oberfeld, Romberg, Lopez, Richepin, and Lattès.
Some of the singers who have sung his lyrics include Maurice Chevalier, Fanny Brice, Yvonne Printemps, Mistinguett, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Arletty, Joséphine Baker, Danièle Darrieux, Pauline Carton, Fernandel, Bourvil, Dranem, Henri Garat, Victor Boucher, Jean Gabin, Pierre Fresnay, Michel Simon, Barbara, and Léo Ferré.
Additionally, Albert Willemetz served as Secretary de Clemenceau, the Director of the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens for 30 years, and was President of the SACEM (from 1945), and CISAC (1956). He was the only president of both organizations not to be able to read music.
