“La vie en rose”, “Je ne regrette rien” and “La foule” that have for years enthralled audiences among the world when sung by Edith Piaf, will feature among a special repertoire of the legendary French singer’s songs on 19 December 100th birthday. The French trio will commemorate Piaf; Ketty Orzola will sing Piaf’s melodies, accompanied by Pascale Rozier on the Piano and Patrick Rozier on the Clarinet.
Piaf was born on 19 December 1915 in Paris. At the age of 14 she joined her father in his acrobatic street performances that toured France, where she first sang in public.
In 1935, Piaf was discovered in the Pigalle area of Paris by nightclub owner Louis Leplée, whose club Le Gerny, off the Champs-Élysées, was frequented by the upper and lower classes alike. He persuaded her to sing despite her extreme nervousness. It was Leplée who gave her the nickname that would stay with her for the rest of her life and serve as her stage name, “La Môme Piaf” meaning “The Waif Sparrow” or “The Little Sparrow”. Leplée taught her the basics of stage presence and told her to wear a black dress, which became her trademark apparel. Piaff became widely recognised as France’s national chanteuse. Her music was often autobiographical with her singing reflecting her life. She died prematurely at the age of 48 after a tragic life, leaving a wide repertoire through which she is still remembered and widely acclaimed.
Watani International
17 December 2015