Top Notes
Iris
Pink pepper
Frankincense
Heart Notes
Benzoin
Gaiac wood
Coriander
Base Notes
Copaiba balsam
Patchouli
White musk
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Notes09/02/2021
Carlitos01
346 Reviews
Carlitos01
Very helpful Review
8
Let me tell of a time when the world was in rhyme with the sound of our laughter...
[Short Review]
Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian was a truly remarkable figure.
He was born in Paris in 1924 as the son of an Armenian immigrant family. His grandfather served as a cook for Tsar Nicholas II. His father, Misha Aznavourian, inherited the family's cooking skills and ran a Caucasian restaurant in Paris. His mother, Knar Baghdasaryan, escaped the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman government. Mischa and Knar were temporarily in Paris waiting for their US visas when Shahnour was born. In fact, the family did not realize at the time that they would settle there indefinitely.
Misha's little restaurant "Le Caucase" often offered free lunch to those in need. During his childhood, Shahnour also made a shy musical duo debut. Father and son entertained the restaurant customers with Armenian songs. However, the Aznavourians shows would hardly be profitable. They had to close the restaurant because of the low income and the fact that they often fed people for free. It couldn't go on forever.
As a child, Shahnour changed his name to "Charles". A full Latinization of his name occurred when his family name received a French accent when it was changed to "Aznavour". Charles began his career in show business at a very young age. Together with his sister Aida, he appeared in plays here and there. Aznavour became very passionate about singing and dancing. He began selling newspapers to earn enough to pay for his music lessons.
During the German occupation of France in World War II, the Aznavour family hid several people persecuted by the Nazis. Charles and his sister were involved in Armenian Jewish rescue operations. In 2017, his humanitarian work was honoured with an award from the Israeli President.
At the end of World War II, Aznavour's artistic career exploded. He mainly appeared in conjunction with French star Edith Piaf. Charles wrote several songs for Piaf and also became her manager. A very strong friendship has developed between the two of them from this collaboration. Charles Aznavour is considered a passionate songwriter and fabulous singer. He also remained a live stage performer almost until his death in 2018. With his clear and lively tenor voice, Charles admired millions of French music lovers. The Pigalle and Montmartre neighbourhoods, as well as various Parisian stereotypes, were immortalized in his songs.
But he never forgot about the people and the landscapes of his Armenian ancestors. He was always very close to his family and adored his parents. The terrible earthquake that struck Armenia in 1988 was a turning point in Aznavour's life. The suffering of the Armenian people was always in his heart and blood. It was unthinkable that in the face of so many calamities he would do nothing. He immediately responded to the needs of the population and flew to Armenia. Aznavour donated all income and rights from the song "Pour Toi Arménie" to support the people of Armenia. The song was recorded in collaboration with over eighty world-famous artists. Since then, the association APA (Aznavour pour l’Arménie) has continued to support the needs of the Armenian population.
In 2004 he received the title of Armenia's national hero, the greatest honour that the land of his ancestors has received. In 2008 Charles Aznavour was granted Armenian citizenship by the Armenian government. One year later, in 2009, he took over the post of Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland. He was also the Permanent Representative of Armenia to UNESCO in Paris.
The Armenian forests and landscapes also caught the attention of the House of Guerlain. The Bois d'Armenie fragrance concept was commissioned by Annick Menardo in 2006. In my humble opinion, to this day it is her best creation and one of the most original and wonderful perfumes from Guerlain.
Menardo turned out to be quite innovative in using the base note of copaíba, an Amazon plant. Its smell is quite strong and guarantees a firm, warm and balsamic woody backbone with peppery and metallic nuances. Guaiac wood is used in the heart to ensure lingering woody and smoky traces with a tangy tea rose floral facet. The strong vanillic benzoin and frankincense create the semi-sweet amber front feeling that inspires everyone. A distinctive iris note at the perfume opening guarantees earthy, woody and powdery promises of what is yet to come.
It is a powerful and opulent fragrance. It's also a fragrance prone to cold weather, as are the forests of Aznavour's family homeland. It's slightly feminine in nature but can aim to be unisex enough for everyone. Longevity and silage are moderated for an amber, woody and spicy scent.
Unfortunately, the price-performance ratio is a bit poor. The original packaging seems to be no longer available, so it is difficult to evaluate it. However, the former price of €210 for the 75 ml bottle in the Guerlain shop seems compatible with the noticeable quality and care that Guerlain has put into this fragrance. Apparently, Guerlain will change the presentation, size and price of the bottle. The new 100 ml packaging is expected to sell for 250 euros. Hopefully, the fragrance blending will remain unchanged.
Music: Charles Aznavour - "La Bohème"
("Let me tell of a time when the world was in rhyme, with the sound of our laughter...")
Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian was a truly remarkable figure.
He was born in Paris in 1924 as the son of an Armenian immigrant family. His grandfather served as a cook for Tsar Nicholas II. His father, Misha Aznavourian, inherited the family's cooking skills and ran a Caucasian restaurant in Paris. His mother, Knar Baghdasaryan, escaped the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman government. Mischa and Knar were temporarily in Paris waiting for their US visas when Shahnour was born. In fact, the family did not realize at the time that they would settle there indefinitely.
Misha's little restaurant "Le Caucase" often offered free lunch to those in need. During his childhood, Shahnour also made a shy musical duo debut. Father and son entertained the restaurant customers with Armenian songs. However, the Aznavourians shows would hardly be profitable. They had to close the restaurant because of the low income and the fact that they often fed people for free. It couldn't go on forever.
As a child, Shahnour changed his name to "Charles". A full Latinization of his name occurred when his family name received a French accent when it was changed to "Aznavour". Charles began his career in show business at a very young age. Together with his sister Aida, he appeared in plays here and there. Aznavour became very passionate about singing and dancing. He began selling newspapers to earn enough to pay for his music lessons.
During the German occupation of France in World War II, the Aznavour family hid several people persecuted by the Nazis. Charles and his sister were involved in Armenian Jewish rescue operations. In 2017, his humanitarian work was honoured with an award from the Israeli President.
At the end of World War II, Aznavour's artistic career exploded. He mainly appeared in conjunction with French star Edith Piaf. Charles wrote several songs for Piaf and also became her manager. A very strong friendship has developed between the two of them from this collaboration. Charles Aznavour is considered a passionate songwriter and fabulous singer. He also remained a live stage performer almost until his death in 2018. With his clear and lively tenor voice, Charles admired millions of French music lovers. The Pigalle and Montmartre neighbourhoods, as well as various Parisian stereotypes, were immortalized in his songs.
But he never forgot about the people and the landscapes of his Armenian ancestors. He was always very close to his family and adored his parents. The terrible earthquake that struck Armenia in 1988 was a turning point in Aznavour's life. The suffering of the Armenian people was always in his heart and blood. It was unthinkable that in the face of so many calamities he would do nothing. He immediately responded to the needs of the population and flew to Armenia. Aznavour donated all income and rights from the song "Pour Toi Arménie" to support the people of Armenia. The song was recorded in collaboration with over eighty world-famous artists. Since then, the association APA (Aznavour pour l’Arménie) has continued to support the needs of the Armenian population.
In 2004 he received the title of Armenia's national hero, the greatest honour that the land of his ancestors has received. In 2008 Charles Aznavour was granted Armenian citizenship by the Armenian government. One year later, in 2009, he took over the post of Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland. He was also the Permanent Representative of Armenia to UNESCO in Paris.
The Armenian forests and landscapes also caught the attention of the House of Guerlain. The Bois d'Armenie fragrance concept was commissioned by Annick Menardo in 2006. In my humble opinion, to this day it is her best creation and one of the most original and wonderful perfumes from Guerlain.
Menardo turned out to be quite innovative in using the base note of copaíba, an Amazon plant. Its smell is quite strong and guarantees a firm, warm and balsamic woody backbone with peppery and metallic nuances. Guaiac wood is used in the heart to ensure lingering woody and smoky traces with a tangy tea rose floral facet. The strong vanillic benzoin and frankincense create the semi-sweet amber front feeling that inspires everyone. A distinctive iris note at the perfume opening guarantees earthy, woody and powdery promises of what is yet to come.
It is a powerful and opulent fragrance. It's also a fragrance prone to cold weather, as are the forests of Aznavour's family homeland. It's slightly feminine in nature but can aim to be unisex enough for everyone. Longevity and silage are moderated for an amber, woody and spicy scent.
Unfortunately, the price-performance ratio is a bit poor. The original packaging seems to be no longer available, so it is difficult to evaluate it. However, the former price of €210 for the 75 ml bottle in the Guerlain shop seems compatible with the noticeable quality and care that Guerlain has put into this fragrance. Apparently, Guerlain will change the presentation, size and price of the bottle. The new 100 ml packaging is expected to sell for 250 euros. Hopefully, the fragrance blending will remain unchanged.
Music: Charles Aznavour - "La Bohème"
("Let me tell of a time when the world was in rhyme, with the sound of our laughter...")
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Carlitos01
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