These include the musicals:
* La Révolution Française (1973)
* Les Misérables (1980 french version- 1985 english version)
* Miss Saigon (1989)
* Martin Guerre (1996)
* Wuthering Heights (ballet 2001)
* The Pirate Queen (2006)
* Marguerite (2009)
Schönberg began his career as a record producer and a singer. By the early 1970s he had become successful.
He wrote most of the music for the French musical and rock opera, La Révolution Française, France's first rock opera, in 1973, and also played the role of King Louis XVI in the show's production that year.
In 1974 he wrote the music and the lyrics of the song "Le Premier Pas", which became the number 1 popular song in France that year and sold over 1 million copies. Le Premier Pas was produced by Franck Pourcel. He recorded albums as a singer until 1985.
Schönberg then made an album in which he sang his own songs. In 1978, he dedicated his full attention to musicals when he and Alain Boublil conceived the idea for a stage musical version of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, which opened at the Palias de Sports in Paris in 1980. The musical opened to acclaim in London in 1985 and on Broadway in 1987. The Broadway production was nominated for twelve Tony Awards and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score . In 1989, Schönberg and Boublil took London by storm with the musical Miss Saigon, which starred Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce. In its transition to Broadway, the show broke advance-ticket sales, earning $24 million before its premiere on April 11, 1991 [1]. 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.
Schönberg's latest project with Boublil is The Pirate Queen, a musical about the 16th century Irish pirate, chieftain and adventuress Grace O'Malley. The Pirate Queen completed its 8-week pre-Broadway tryout at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre on November 26, 2006. The show is undergoing further development in preparation for its Broadway previews at the Hilton Theater in March 2007. The Broadway opening date is April 5, 2007. Miss Saigon co-lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. has come on-board to work with Boublil on revisions to the book and lyrics. Additionally, Graciela Daniele will work on the musical staging.
Les Miserables celebrated its twentieth anniversary in London on October 8, 2005. The Broadway production closed on May 18, 2003, making it the third-longest-running Broadway musical following Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. Schönberg will oversee the production of Les Miserables that is returning to Broadway for a six-month engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 9, 2006.
Claude-Michel Schönberg is also an ex-husband of France 2 evening news anchor Béatrice Schönberg.
He lives in London, and has 3 children.
He is actually writing the music and for the first time the arrangements, for a new ballet to be created in UK in 2011: Cléopâtra.
On Parole/The Bishop
Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now bring me prisoner 24601
Your time is up
And your parole's begun
You know what that means
Valjean
Yes, it means I'm free
Javert
No
It means you get
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
You are a thief
Valjean
I stole a loaf of bread!
Javert
You robbed a house!
Valjean
I broke a window pane!
My sister's child was close to death
And we were starving!
Javert
And you will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
Valjean
I know the meaning of these 19 years
A slave of the law
Javert
Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run
Yes 24601
Valjean
My name is Jean Valjean
Javert
And I am Javert
Do not forget my name
Do not forget me
24601
Choir
Look down, look down
You will always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave.
Valjean
Freedom is mine. The earth is still.
I feel the wind. I breathe again.
And the sky clears, the world is waiting.
Drink from the pool. How clean the taste
Never forget the years, the waste.
Nor forgive them, for what they've done.
They are the guilty, everyone.
The day begins...
And now lets see
What this new world
Will do for me!
Employer
You'll have to go
I'll pay you off for the day
Collect your bits and pieces there
And be on your way.
Valjean
You've given me half
What the other men get!
This handful of tin
Wouldn't buy my sweat!
Laborer
You broke the law
It's there for people to see
Why should you get the same
As honest men like me?
Valjean
Now I know how freedom feels
The jail is always at your heels
It is the law
This piece of paper in my hand which bids me cast throughout the land
It is the law
Like a cur
I walk the streets
The dirt beneath their feet
Bishop
Come in sir for you are weary
And the night is cold out there
Though our lives are very humble
What we have we have to share
There is wine here to revive you
There is bread to make you strong
There's a bed to rest till morning
Rest from pain and rest from wrong
Valjean
Let me eat my fill
I have my lying share
The silver in his hand cost twice what I had earned
In all those nineteen years, that lifetime of despair
And yet he trusted me
The old fool trusted me
He'd done his bit of good
I played the grateful serf, and thanked him like I should
But when the house was still
I got up in the night
Took the silver
Took my flight!!
Constable 1
Tell his reverence your story
Constable 2
Let us see if he's impressed
Constable 1
You were lodging there last night
Constable 2
You were the honest Bishop's guest.
Constable 1
And then, out of Christian goodness
Constable 2
When he learned about your plight
Constable 1
You maintain he made a present of this silver -
Bishop
That is right.
But my friend you left so early
Surely something slipped your mind
You forgot I gave these also
Would you leave the best behind?
So Messieurs you may release him
For this man has spoken true
I commend you for your duty
May God's blessing go with you.
But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!
The song "On Parole/The Bishop" in Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Misérables is a powerful exchange between the two main characters, Javert and Valjean. Javert starts by bringing up the fact that Valjean has been released from prison on parole. However, instead of being truly free, he is now under even more scrutiny and control, evident in the yellow ticket-of-leave he has received. The lyrics reveal Javert's unrelenting stance on the law, noting that Valjean will remain a thief in his mind, even if he does follow the rules. Valjean's plea that he stole a loaf of bread because he and his family were starving seems to fall on deaf ears. Javert's character is one of the rigid, unbending interpretation of the law, as shown in his lack of compassion for Valjean's situation.
The song then transitions to show Valjean's newfound sense of freedom, where he expresses his gratitude for the sky, the wind, and the taste of clean water. He reflects on the waste of 19 years he experienced in prison and vows never to forgive those who put him there. Yet, he is also excited and optimistic about his future, noting that now he can see what the new world will do for him. However, he soon realizes that even outside of prison, he is still not truly free. This is shown through his conversations with his employer and a laborer, who point out that he is not on the same level as them due to being an ex-convict. Valjean's feelings of injustice are highlighted when he realizes that the handful of coins his employer gave him would not have been enough to buy his sweat.
The song ends on a powerful note with Valjean's encounter with the Bishop. The Bishop offers Valjean food, drink, and a place to rest, showing him kindness that he had never experienced before. Moved by this, Valjean decides to steal the Bishop's silverware and flee. However, when caught, the Bishop covers for him, stating that he had given Valjean the silver. The Bishop's character represents the Christian virtues of forgiveness and redemption. He shows Valjean that even though he has made mistakes in the past, he can still become an honest man. This moment is a turning point for Valjean and sets him off on a different path from his previous experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Now bring me prisoner 24601
Javert orders to bring Valjean, prisoner number 24601.
Your time is up
Valjean's time on parole has expired.
And your parole's begun
Valjean is now on parole.
You know what that means
Javert believes Valjean understands the full consequences of being on parole.
Yes, it means I'm free
Valjean believes that being on parole means he is free from prison.
No
Javert disagrees with Valjean's statement.
It means you get
Being on parole means Valjean will receive.
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
Valjean will receive a yellow ticket-of-leave.
You are a thief
Javert labels Valjean as a thief.
I stole a loaf of bread!
Valjean defends his crime by stating that he only stole a loaf of bread.
You robbed a house!
Javert accuses Valjean of robbing a house.
I broke a window pane!
Valjean admits to breaking a window.
My sister's child was close to death
Valjean states that his actions were driven by the need to save his sister's child.
And we were starving!
Valjean further explains that his family was starving.
And you will starve again
Javert predicts that Valjean will starve again.
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
Javert tells Valjean that he needs to understand the law if he wants to survive.
I know the meaning of these 19 years
Valjean disagrees with Javert and argues that he has already learned the meaning of the law.
A slave of the law
Valjean describes himself as a slave to the law.
Five years for what you did
Valjean is told he received a five-year sentence for his crime.
The rest because you tried to run
Javert explains that Valjean's total sentence is due to his escape attempts.
My name is Jean Valjean
Valjean identifies himself.
And I am Javert
Javert introduces himself.
Do not forget my name
Javert warns Valjean to remember his name.
Do not forget me
Javert warns Valjean to not forget him.
24601
Javert repeats Valjean's prisoner number.
Look down, look down
The Choir tells Valjean to look down.
You will always be a slave
The Choir tells Valjean that he will always be a slave.
You're standing in your grave.
The Choir tells Valjean that he's standing in his grave.
Freedom is mine. The earth is still.
Valjean rejoices in his newfound freedom.
I feel the wind. I breathe again.
Valjean revels in the simple joys of life.
And the sky clears, the world is waiting.
Valjean sees a bright future ahead of him.
Drink from the pool. How clean the taste
Valjean experiences a refreshing moment.
Never forget the years, the waste.
Valjean remembers the years he lost in prison.
Nor forgive them, for what they've done.
Valjean is still bitter about the injustice done to him.
They are the guilty, everyone.
Valjean blames society for his plight.
The day begins...
Valjean starts his new life.
And now lets see
Valjean is optimistic about the future.
What this new world
Valjean wonders what the new world will hold for him.
Will do for me!
Valjean is motivated to make the most of his new life.
You'll have to go
Valjean is informed that he needs to leave.
I'll pay you off for the day
Valjean is paid for his work.
Collect your bits and pieces there
Valjean has to gather his belongings.
And be on your way.
Valjean is told to leave.
You've given me half
Valjean is unhappy with the amount he's being paid.
What the other men get!
Valjean feels he's being treated unfairly.
This handful of tin
Valjean is unimpressed with the money he's being given.
Wouldn't buy my sweat!
Valjean feels that the pay is not commensurate with his effort.
You broke the law
A laborer accuses Valjean of breaking the law.
It's there for people to see
The law exists for everyone to follow, according to the laborer.
Why should you get the same
The laborer is unhappy that Valjean is being treated equally.
As honest men like me?
The laborer believes Valjean is being treated better than he deserves.
Now I know how freedom feels
Valjean has discovered the true value of freedom.
The jail is always at your heels
Valjean knows that returning to prison is a real danger.
It is the law
Valjean acknowledges the importance of following the law.
This piece of paper in my hand which bids me cast throughout the land
Valjean has to carry around his yellow ticket-of-leave.
Like a cur
Valjean feels dehumanized.
I walk the streets
Valjean is back on the streets.
The dirt beneath their feet
Valjean is among the lowest of society.
Come in sir for you are weary
The Bishop invites Valjean inside.
And the night is cold out there
The Bishop wants Valjean to be comfortable.
Though our lives are very humble
The Bishop acknowledges his humble life.
What we have we have to share
The Bishop is willing to share what he has.
There is wine here to revive you
The Bishop offers Valjean wine to drink.
There is bread to make you strong
The Bishop offers Valjean bread to eat.
There's a bed to rest till morning
The Bishop offers Valjean a bed to sleep in.
Rest from pain and rest from wrong
The Bishop wants Valjean to be at peace.
Let me eat my fill
Valjean enjoys the food and wine offered by the Bishop.
I have my lying share
Valjean reflects on how he has gained from lying and cheating.
The silver in his hand cost twice what I had earned
Valjean thinks about how the Bishop's silver is worth more than he had ever earned.
In all those nineteen years, that lifetime of despair
Valjean thinks back to the years he spent in jail.
And yet he trusted me
Valjean is amazed at how the Bishop could trust him.
The old fool trusted me
Valjean is being sarcastic about the Bishop's trust.
He'd done his bit of good
Valjean reflects on the Bishop's kindness.
I played the grateful serf, and thanked him like I should
Valjean pretends to be grateful to the Bishop.
But when the house was still
Valjean waited until everyone was asleep.
I got up in the night
Valjean acted secretly.
Took the silver
Valjean stole the Bishop's silver.
Took my flight!!
Valjean fled with the stolen silver.
Tell his reverence your story
The constable asks Valjean to tell his story to the Bishop.
Let us see if he's impressed
The constables want to see if the Bishop believes Valjean.
You were lodging there last night
The constables remind the Bishop that Valjean stayed with him.
You were the honest Bishop's guest.
The constables imply that Valjean took advantage of the Bishop's kindness.
And then, out of Christian goodness
The Bishop acted out of kindness and Christian beliefs.
When he learned about your plight
The Bishop wanted to help Valjean.
You maintain he made a present of this silver -
The constables ask Valjean if the Bishop gave him the silver.
That is right.
The Bishop confirms that he gave Valjean the silver.
But my friend you left so early
The Bishop reminds Valjean that he left without taking everything.
Surely something slipped your mind
The Bishop is being coy about the silver.
You forgot I gave these also
The Bishop shows Valjean the candlesticks he gave him.
Would you leave the best behind?
The Bishop questions why Valjean would leave the silver behind.
So Messieurs you may release him
The Bishop asks the constables to release Valjean.
For this man has spoken true
The Bishop believes Valjean's story.
I commend you for your duty
The Bishop thanks the constables for doing their job.
May God's blessing go with you.
The Bishop wishes the constables well.
But remember this, my brother
The Bishop imparts wisdom to Valjean.
See in this some higher plan
The Bishop wants Valjean to see meaning in his life's events.
You must use this precious silver
The Bishop encourages Valjean to use the silver wisely.
To become an honest man
The Bishop wants Valjean to change for the better.
By the witness of the martyrs
The Bishop swears by the martyrs.
By the Passion and the Blood
The Bishop swears by Christ's Passion and Blood.
God has raised you out of darkness
The Bishop believes Valjean has received divine intervention.
I have bought your soul for God!
The Bishop believes he saved Valjean's soul for God.
Contributed by Adalyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.