Brigitte Macron attends funeral of Oscar-winning composer Michel Legrand in Paris, as organisers of London show where he was due to play say it will now be a tribute performance: Photos, Video

Brigitte Macron attended the funeral of legendary composer Michel Legrand in Paris on Friday, after he died this week at the age of 86.

The French First Lady was pictured stepping out of the Cathedral Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky in Paris as they bade farewell to the Oscar-winning composer, who was most famous for writing ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’.

Mrs Macron was photographed walking alongside members of Legrand’s immediate family as they left the church after the service on Friday morning.

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, arrives to attend Legrand’s funeral on Friday

Mrs Macron was pictured walking down the steps of the Cathedral Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky alongside French Culture Minister Franck Riester.

Among the other attendees were actor Frederic Beigbeder, French Culture Minister Franck Riester, French film director Claude Lelouch and Legrand’s fellow composer Vladimir Cosma.

The funeral took place as it was announced that a London concert due to feature Legrand will now become a tribute event to the composer after his death.

The pianist had been due to perform at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra on September 20 but the show’s producers now hope it will be a fitting tribute to the musician.

Legrand’s hits included the song Windmills Of Your Mind and the scores for The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg and The Thomas Crown Affair.

French composer and pianist Michel Legrand (pictured) died this month at the age of 86

‘It is no more than four months since Michel’s unforgettable concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, also at the Royal Festival Hall, co-produced by Fane Productions and Ronnie Scott’s.

‘Aged 86, and certainly physically and vocally a little frail, Michel nonetheless conducted the 68-piece orchestra and rhythm section with total assurance, and his genius at the piano was as evident as ever.

Hordes of mourners turned out to pay tribute to the legendary composer and pianist on Friday

Mrs Macron was photographed looking solemn as she arrived for the service in central Paris

‘In a concert billed as Michel Legrand: 60 years of Music and Movies, we were taken on a magical and nostalgic journey through some of the 20th century’s most memorable film scores whilst clips from The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg, The Thomas Crown Affair, Summer Of 42, Yentl and many more screened above the orchestra.

‘The evening had a tangible sense of occasion, even more so in retrospect now that we know it was to be Michel’s last appearance in the UK. What a privilege to have been there.’

The concert on September 20 will still feature Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, as well as special guests.

Current ticket holders have been contacted by Southbank Centre.

French film director Claude Lelouch and Frederic Beigbeder were also in attendance at the funeral

Romanian-born French composer Vladimir Cosma, a lifelong friend of Legrand, was among the mourners.