'The Songs of Edith Piaf' on Nov. 3
Submitted by District 214 Community Education
Her voice was “the soul of Paris,” at least according to Marlene Dietrich.
Nearly 50 years after her death, the world is still fascinated by the life, loves and music of French chanteuse Edith Piaf, the subject of the 2007 film, “La Vie en Rose.”
And now singer Martha Carés has channeled the soul of Edith Piaf into a special stage presentation that will be having its Northwest suburban premiere at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.
In edition to Carés, “La Vie en Rose: The Songs of Edith Piaf” will feature actor Robert Swan and accordionist Don Stille. Together, they perform Piaf's most romantic, nostalgic and compelling songs in both French and English.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, but Gold Card Club members may reserve advance tickets for the reduced price of $12.
The show is not an impersonation of Piaf.
“Artists stand alone as being great artists because of distinctive qualities that they possess,” Carés says. “To imitate her rolling R's or other mannerisms is not my intent at all. I'm inspired by her energy and her artistry, but this is my own interpretive performance of some of her pieces.”
Carés has appeared with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Florida Grand Opera, Grant Park Music Festival, Milwaukee Opera Company and Chicago Opera Theatre. She has been a guest artist with many symphony orchestras, and was the grand prize winner of the International Bel Canto Opera Competition. In addition to her concert, opera and oratorio appearances, Carés was seen in over 1,000 performances of “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway.
For tickets call District 214 Community Education Box Office at (847) 718-7702 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.