Claude-Michel Schönberg: Composing a musical revolution

A legend of the musical theatre world, composer Claude-Michel Schönberg is one half of the team behind Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, and many other musicals. Of the Boublil-Schönberg writing team, it’s Claude-Michel who provides the music. The pair have been collaborating since their 1973 musical La Revolution Française, but it was their concept album of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables which led to a West End production, and for their work to be performed in all corners of the world.

Claude-Michel was in Sydney thanks to Opera Australia’s production of Miss Saigon, and in this conversation we hear about the inspiration behind this musical, the course of events which led to their international success with Les Misérables, as well as hearing about his unique relationship with music which has carried him throughout his life.