While only 10,000 Israelis were able to get tickets for world-renowned French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour’s concert in Tel Aviv, Aznavour himself was just as keen to meet a famous Israeli.

Long before his arrival in Israel, Aznavour’s people had been in touch with the office of Israeli President Shimon Peres with a request for a meeting between the president and the famous singer, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Peres, of course, acceded to Aznavour’s request, not just because of his fame or their shared history, but primarily because he is an avid Francophile who delights in all forms of French culture.

Peres went backstage to meet with Aznavour prior to the performance, which may have accounted for the reason that Aznavour was a little late in meeting with his audience.

Aznavour, who at 89 (he turns 90 next May) is just a year younger than the president, complimented Peres on his appearance, his energy his efforts in the quest for peace.

At a news conference, Aznavour said he supported the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and he had hoped to perform in the Palestinian territories as well.

Though he has visited Israel previously, Aznavour, one of the most successful and prolific stage and recording artists in the world, had never before performed in Israel, and the fans, including Peres, who later took his seat in the audience, couldn’t wait to hear him.

They were not disappointed. During a two-hour concert, accompanied by an orchestra and back-up singers, the charismatic Aznavour sang a medley of his most famous songs, including “She,” which he performed together with Israeli singer Achinoam Nini (she in Hebrew, and he in French). The audience, including Peres, sang along.