Choeur Préparatoire SOTTO VOCE: Cabaret Sotto Voce

By EnfantSottoVoce

What “Choeur Préparatoire SOTTO VOCE: Cabaret Sotto Voce” means

This song is a lively, playful cabaret-style invitation to enter a fantastical show full of exotic acts, acrobats, animals, and bizarre attractions. The tone is exuberant and theatrical, with repeated calls to “entrez” (“come in”) creating the feeling of a carnival barker or announcer pulling the audience into an enchanted world. Because the lyrics are heavily garbled, the imagery is the main clue: it seems to celebrate spectacle, curiosity, and the absurdity of entertainment itself, mixing humor, chaos, and a little surreal charm. For a French learner, it is useful because it repeats simple imperative phrases and showcases cabaret vocabulary, even if many lines are distorted or misheard.

About EnfantSottoVoce

EnfantSottoVoce refers to the Chœur d’Enfants Sotto Voce, a French children’s choir based at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The choir is directed by the American conductor Scott Alan Prouty and is known for a wide repertoire that mixes classical music, musical theater, jazz, and French chanson.

"Choeur Préparatoire SOTTO VOCE: Cabaret Sotto Voce" appears to be a performance by the choir’s preparatory children’s group, not a separate commercial pop single. Sources show that "Cabaret Sotto Voce" is a signature piece in the choir’s program, linked to the song "Barnum Circus" by Charlys and Maurice Vandair, and it has been featured in concerts at the Théâtre du Châtelet and other Paris venues. It is a lively, theatrical cabaret-style number that fits the choir’s playful stage identity and its tradition of blending singing with movement and performance.

Line highlights

  • "Entrez, entrez"

    This means “Come in, come in.” It is a classic imperative used by an announcer or host to invite the audience inside, and its repetition gives the song a commanding, showman-like energy.

  • "le grand cabaret international"

    This phrase means “the great international cabaret.” It sets the scene immediately: a grand, worldly entertainment space where many different acts are presented.

  • "des chameaux"

    This means “camels.” Along with other animals named in the lyrics, it helps create the exotic, circus-like atmosphere typical of cabaret spectacle.

  • "un grand numéro musical"

    This means “a great musical number.” In French show language, numéro refers to a performance act, so this line points to the variety-show structure of the piece.

  • "applaudissez en liberté"

    Literally “applaud freely.” It is a charming performer’s instruction, encouraging the audience to react enthusiastically without restraint.

  • "faites vos paris"

    This means “place your bets.” It suggests gambling or a fairground-style performance and adds to the sense that the show is full of risky, exciting, crowd-pleasing spectacle.

Lyrics preview (French with English translation)

  1. Nous sommes le grand cabaret We are the great cabaret
  2. International International
  3. Qui montre, vous verrez n'importe quel That shows, you'll see, any
  4. Animal, des chameaux, des Animal, camels, and
  5. Panthères et même des dromadaires. Les Panthers and even dromedaries. The
  6. Le clou des acrobates The highlight of the acrobats
  7. Un grand numéro musical A big musical number
  8. Laouse qui ne prend pas The lause that doesn't take

Play the song above for the full karaoke-synced lyrics with line-by-line translation.

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