He has sung more than one hundred operas in the biggest theaters in the world and it is an accident that ended the career of the lyric singer of Jean-Philippe Lafont in 2016. ‘Presidential election Emmanuel Macron during his meeting at the Porte de Versailles, haranguing the crowd to the sound of “this is our project”. A derailment that will bring the two men to work together. Present in the Pink City to give a conference at the Toulouse Occitanie Business Club, we met him.

Tell us about this collaboration with Emmanuel Macron.

One day, my friend Roselyne Bachelot asked me to put a man who wanted to become President of the Republic to work. She introduced me to Emmanuel Macron. I met an intelligent man who very quickly felt that I would bring him things. For four months, we worked together. He made good progress on the vocal level. A little less in the gestures because he still waves his arms a lot. After his victory, many deputies and business leaders requested my services.

What advice do you give to these political figures?

Not to speak quickly, to articulate, to breathe, to be aware that the breath is part of the speaker. As with the preparation of an opera, a political figure must take care of his voice, preserve it, take care of it. A little advice, for example that I gave to the President and to breathe through the nose, which protects against infections thanks to his eyelashes, and not through the mouth, which dries up the vocal cords.

Is working on your voice as important as working on your image?

One does not go without the other. The voice is a reflection of our personality, our mental and physical health. Before speaking, in any field whatsoever, one must think. Thought must precede speech. The opposite does not work and can tie up our image.

Would you be ready to take the adventure with a candidate for the 2022 presidential election?

It depends on what. They have every interest in being coached because the candidates are called upon to speak in front of audiences of several thousand people. It is an exercise which requires preparation, work. We must not believe that it can be improvised. Before getting on the platform, you have to find your tone, your voice color. And for me, a former baritone, it’s very interesting.