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.
The First Attack
Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take this and use it well!
But if you shoot us in the back,
You'll never live to tell.
Random Voices
Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade!
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!
Enjolras
FIRE!
Feuilly
Sniper!
Lesgles
See how they run away!
Grantaire
By God we've won the day!
Enjolras
They will be back again,
Make an attack again.
(To Valjean)
For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you, Monsieur,
When our battle is won.
Valjean
Give me no thanks, Monsieur
There is something that you can do.
Enjolras
If it is in my power...
Valjean
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him
Javert
The law is inside out
The world is upside down
Enjolras
Do what you have to do,
The man belongs to you.
The enemy may be regrouping. Hold yourself in readiness.
Come my friends, back to your positions.
The night is falling fast...
Valjean
We meet again.
Javert
You've hungered for this all your life;
Take your revenge!
How right you should kill with a knife!
Valjean
You talk too much,
Your life is safe in my hands.
Javert
I don't understand
Valjean
Get out of here.
Javert
Valjean, take care,
I'm warning you...
Valjean
Clear out of here.
Javert
Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal!
You would trade your life for mine.
Yes,Valjean, you want a deal.
Shoot me now for all I care!
If you let me go beware.
You'll still answer to Javert!
Valjean
You are wrong, and always have been wrong.
I'm a man, no worse than any man.
You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions.
There's nothing that I blame you for.
You've done your duty, nothing more.
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again.
Enjolras
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody stay awake
We must be ready for the fight
For the final fight
Let no one sleep tonight!
The song "The First Attack" is from the musical "Les Misérables" and is a pivotal moment in the storyline. The barricade is about to be attacked by the military, and Enjolras is leading the revolutionaries in their fight for liberty. As the military approaches, Enjolras issues orders and sends his comrades back to their positions. There is a brief moment of celebration as they think they have won, but Enjolras reminds them that the enemy will return. It is during this exchange that Valjean reveals himself to be an ally to their cause and offers to take care of Javert, the police inspector who has been hunting Valjean for years. Javert shows up in the midst of the chaos and, after a tense exchange with Valjean, is allowed to go free.
"Take this and use it well" is a reference to Enjolras handing a musket to Valjean to help fight the military. Enjolras warns Valjean that if he "shoot[s] us in the back," he'll never live to tell. This signifies the deep distrust the rebels have for outsiders and highlights the brutality of war. As the battle continues, the group's morale is boosted by their success in repelling the first military attack. However, Enjolras is quickly the voice of reason and tells the group to prepare for the next wave of attacks. This is where the song ends, signaling the start of the final battle.
Line by Line Meaning
Take this and use it well!
Enjolras passes a weapon to a comrade, urging them to wield it effectively in the ongoing battle.
But if you shoot us in the back, You'll never live to tell.
Enjolras warns the opposing forces that their actions will not go unpunished if they attack with deceit and treachery.
Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade! Troops behind them, fifty men or more!
Random voices alert their comrades about the approaching forces marching forward with explosives and infantry.
FIRE!
Enjolras commands his fellow rebels to open fire.
Sniper!
Feuilly identifies a sniper who aims to create chaos and damage among the rebel ranks.
See how they run away!
Lesgles observes the enemy's retreat after the rebels' strong attack.
By God we've won the day!
Grantaire rejoices in the victory and praises the valiant efforts of the rebels.
They will be back again, Make an attack again.
Enjolras acknowledges the possibility of the enemy regrouping and planning another strike.
For your presence of mind For the deed you have done I will thank you, Monsieur, When our battle is won.
Enjolras expresses his gratitude to Valjean for his aid in the battle, promising to thank him fully once the fighting is over.
Give me no thanks, Monsieur There is something that you can do.
Valjean humbly declines Enjolras' gratitude and seeks permission to execute a task for the betterment of the rebellion.
If it is in my power...
Enjolras agrees to Valjean's request, promising to assist him if it is within his capability.
Give me the spy Javert Let me take care of him
Valjean requests the custody of Javert, an enemy spy, to deal with him personally.
The law is inside out The world is upside down
Javert expresses his disillusionment with the current state of affairs, feeling disoriented by the opposing forces' beliefs and customs.
Do what you have to do, The man belongs to you.
Enjolras acknowledges Valjean's right to take charge of Javert, entrusting him with the spy's fate.
We meet again.
Valjean and Javert come face to face after their last encounter, this time on opposite sides of the barricade.
You've hungered for this all your life; Take your revenge! How right you should kill with a knife!
Javert goads Valjean, accusing him of wanting revenge and implying that it is acceptable to kill with a weapon.
You talk too much, Your life is safe in my hands.
Valjean dismisses Javert's taunts and reassures him that he has no intention of harming him anymore.
I don't understand
Javert is confused by Valjean's unexpected behavior and apparently oblivious to his true motives.
Get out of here.
Valjean forces Javert to leave the rebel's position, denying him the opportunity to sabotage their efforts.
Once a thief, forever a thief What you want you always steal! You would trade your life for mine. Yes,Valjean, you want a deal. Shoot me now for all I care! If you let me go beware. You'll still answer to Javert!
Javert attempts to provoke Valjean further by reminding him of his criminal past, challenging him to kill him or accept a bargain that would not end well for him.
You are wrong, and always have been wrong. I'm a man, no worse than any man. You are free, and there are no conditions, No bargains or petitions. There's nothing that I blame you for. You've done your duty, nothing more. If I come out of this alive, you'll find me At number fifty-five Rue Plumet No doubt our paths will cross again.
Valjean counters Javert's accusations with a heartfelt speech, asserting his humanity and nobility and freeing Javert from his own need for revenge. He gives his address to Javert and expresses the optimism that they might meet someday as friends instead of foes.
Courfeyrac, you take the watch They won't attack until it's light Everybody stay awake We must be ready for the fight For the final fight Let no one sleep tonight!
Enjolras assigns one of his companions with the task of keeping watch and orders everyone to stay alert and prepared for the last battle. He urges his fellow rebels to stay awake all night and not let their guard down.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.