This volume is the first book-length account of Yves Montand's controversial tour of the Soviet Union at the turn of the years 1956/57. It traces the mixed messages of this internationally visible act of cultural diplomacy in the middle of the turbulent Cold War. It also provides an account of the celebrated French singer-actor's controversial career, his dedication to music and to peace activism, as well as his widespread fandom in the USSR. The book describes the political background for the events of the year 1956, including the changing Soviet atmosphere after Stalin's death, portrays the rising transnational stardom of Montand in the 1940s and 1950s, and explores the controversies aroused by his plan to visit Moscow after the Hungarian Uprising. The book pays particular attention to Montand's reception in the USSR and his concert performances, drawing on unique archival material and oral history interviews, and analyses the documentary Yves Montand Sings (1957) released immediately after his visit.
"The volume is particularly noteworthy for its strong interdisciplinary dimension ... . The multiplicity of these perspectives and the methodologies they imply make it possible to explore the complexity of the issues at stake in Yves Montand's decision to travel and sing his French songs in several Soviet cities ... from 17 December 1956 to 19 January 1957 ... . The undeniable value of the book lies in the way the various sources are presented and linked Together ... ." (Perrine Val, H-Soz-Kult, hsozkult.de, June 22, 2023)