It’s the story of a guy who realized his french dream. A kid from Nice-Nord who set out to conquer stages around the world, driven by an iron will, his french flair, teamwork and some decisive encounters. This “formidable!” story, as they say, is that of Gil Marsalla, 55 years old, happy boss of Directo Productions, now knight in the Order of Arts and Letters.
Elected officials, associations, artists, producers, directors… Enthusiasm carries the crowd into the lounges of the Villa Masséna, Wednesday evening in Nice, when Christian Estrosi presents the knighthood to Gil Marsalla. “Gil deserves it”, insists the mayor. He praises his work which “strengthens the image and influence of Nice”ses “shows appreciated by all, among the most performed in the world”.
“Piaf! le spectacle”, “Formidable! Aznavour”, “Brel! The show”, “Paris the show”… Directo Prod has made many small ones big. Gil Marsalla’s team has orchestrated more than 2000 performances across 80 countries. On his own, “Piaf!” brought together a good million spectators. Directo exports the popular culture of sweet France, “creating wealth, employment and – most importantly – emotion”.
“Being French is a strength”
Gil Marsalla eclipses emotion with laughter when he retraces the path traveled. He relives his first notes of The Marseillaise with the family orchestra, at 14 years old. His years roadie unloading trucks from a Pink Floyd concert. And now, her friend Angela who opens the doors of theamerican dream.
The little Niçois then notices “that being French was not a strength, but a weakness”. He also hears that “singing in French was corny”. He understands that his Nissart roots are slowing down his rise. But he hangs on, believes in it. How much “frustrating dates”of “sleepless nights” before seeing life in pink?
“And then one day, when we no longer expect it, the miracle appears: the Kid.” Piaf is popular. “Piaf! The show” takes off. Everything comes together, from the Olympia to Carnegie Hall in New York. Piaf, Azanavour, Brel, Bécaud, Trénet… “Take me”these sacred monsters whisper to Gil Marsalla, who offers them a new journey without denying “the charm of French clichés”.
Behind success, solidarity
He dedicates this success to his entire team. To Niçois Gérard Davoust, producer of Aznavour, who “taken under his wing”. To his parents, his wife Sabine, their children Léa, Théo and Lou, his sister Laurie and his brother Eric “left too early”. With a lump in his throat, Gil Marsalla launches a hymn to the love of his profession, of France, of his “village of Nice-Nord”Directo Prod base camp.
And then there is another “terrific” adventure: the Solidarity Weekends. A collective momentum driven by Gil Marsalla and Philippe Roustan, to help the Riviera valleys recover from storm Alex. Christian Estrosi greets “a big heart which, to the inevitable tears, brings the action which soothes them”.
Jules Grison, Nathalie Lermitte, Olivier Laurent, Stéphanie Impoco: four ambassadors of Directo productions salute in unison the consecration of its founder. Songs, laughter and an ovation, while waiting for the rest. Gil Marsalla announces the color: “Let’s go for new adventures!”
2024-02-08 16:30:00
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