Interview with Paulette Saint Lot Frank

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Paulette Saint Lot Frank
Pembroke Pines, FL, August 21, 2013
Interview ASM0085000039
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis and Ben Morris
Length: 00:50:04
Interview with Paulette Saint Lot Frank, a Haitian folk and opera singer and dancer. Saint Lot Frank is the daughter of Aglae Rameau and Dr. Emile Saint-Lot, a diplomat who was the Haitian Plenipotentiary at the signing of the United Nations charter in San Francisco in 1945. She often travelled with her father as a child, and she later served in the Haitian diplomatic corps in Spain and England. She also studied at the London and Madrid Conservatories. She returned to Haiti in the late 1950s, and was offered a position in the Haitian Tourist Department. In 1964, she immigrated with her two sons to New York, where she met her husband Dr. Henry Frank, who was the Consul General of the Republic of Haiti in New York. During that time, she served as the Executive Secretary of the Organization of African Unity to the United Nations.
An outstanding mezzo-soprano, she has participated in many classical and Haitian musical performances, including soloist roles in Carmen de Bizet and Aida de Verdi with the New York State Opera and the Harlem Civic Opera. She is the artistic director and choreographer of the Ibo Dancers of Haiti, a well-known dance company that has performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Gardens, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Place des Arts in Canada. In 1985, she produced and directed the first Haitian musical in New York, Lakou Lakai. She continues to contribute to the artistic development and preservation of Haitian folk singing and dance.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Paulette Saint Lot Frank 2
August 21, 2013
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:13: Introduction.
− 00:00:48: Let us start with you telling us a little bit about your childhood, your birthplace, where you went to school, and your family environment.
− 00:03:40: You grew up in Port-au-Prince, your family environment. So… your father was an influential person in your life?
− 00:04:22: So that’s where you started learning a lot of the Haitian traditions, right? In those days you were little, how old were you?
− 00:05:04: In those days in Haiti, it was easy, it was safe, you were able to go anywhere with your friend?
− 00:05:58: After that, you dad had to go into exile, but you did travel with him quite a bit?
− 00:07:12: So that’s when you started traveling in Europe on your own – Spain and England in particular. I know you spent a lot of time there and studied there, so tell us something about that.
− 00:08:21: How was that [meeting British royalty]? So, what did you do, and how did that work? Give us a picture… describe it so we can see what it was like [with the queen]?
− 00:09:47: So you also became a mezzo-soprano, and you’ve had some leading roles in some of the famous operas we’ve all heard – Carmen, Laura, Azucena, etc. – which one did you enjoy the most, who selected you, and how did you get to participate in all of these fabulous things?
− 00:12:30: Which one of those operas did you enjoy most? Tell us… What was the subject and story of that opera? (Aida)
− 00:15:00: Do you remember any of that at all [the music from Aida]?
Paulette Saint Lot Frank 3
August 21, 2013
− 00:15:38: This whole thing about Spain, England, you being a mezzo soprano, but if we go back a little bit to the late 1950’s, you went back to Haiti. And you became part of the Haitian Tourist Department, and there you had some extraordinary contributions to Haitian culture. Let’s hear about that.
− 00:18:31: This whole project [Consecration – an adaptation of Macaya Roi], you said you invited different performers and other groups and other dancers?
− 00:19:30: I’ve always heard about Consecration… many people speak about it. But now to meet you and know it pretty much came from you seeing this comedy-drama [Macaya Roi] and inviting so many people to participate. It’s still quite an extraordinary project for the time… with a national dance and folkloric troupe. This national troupe – how did it come about?
− 00:21:30: You created Consecration, and something happened, and you had to leave Haiti. You immigrated to the US. Who did you travel with? Where do you go?
− 00:23:30: And you were the one who served that role [of interpreter]?
− 00:24:00: While you were doing all this work with this organization, I also know that you started the Ibo Dancers in New York, the dance company. And just talking with you, I’ve learned a lot about how you started this company, so just share with us, how did it come about? What did you perform?
− 00:26:59: Sometimes you are right there singing your classical, being the opera, and then maybe that night or the next day, you are singing Haitian folk songs and getting your group going?
− 00:28:15: And that brings me to participating, I had the honor to participate in Lakou Lakai, the first Haitian musical at Brooklyn Academy of Music. From your perspective, what was it [like]? For me, it was the best thing I’ve done… it was such a great project. Tell us who worked with you… how did that come about?
− 00:31:14: What were some of the dances and songs that were part of Lakou Lakai, for someone who’s not familiar?
− 00:35:43: Would you like to tell us a little about [your husband], since we won’t have a chance to interview him?
− 00:40:07: What would you consider your best achievements or accomplishments?
− 00:41:06: Where does [your family] live? Here in Florida?
− 00:42:09: So [your niece] followed in her aunt’s footsteps? So it’s a family tradition to work for the United Nations?
Paulette Saint Lot Frank 4
August 21, 2013
− 00:42:36: Is there anything we missed here? Oh, yes, you talked about being an anchorwoman,.. I remember you said something about that. I won’t let you go without you telling us about that.
− 00:44:23: So there was a musical group that you put together. What was the name of it?
− 00:44:52: What is it that I’m not asking and that you have to share?
− 00:45:22: You wear many hats. What hat are you wearing these days?
− 00:45:49: Would it be ok to end this with you singing something for the next generation?
− 00:48:18: Is there anything else you want to add?
− 00:50:04: END OF INTERVIEW