Dubai Opera offers up La Vie En Rose this Valentine's

ARGUABLY MOST FAMOUS for her legendarily stirring ballad, Non, je ne regrette rien, and with her life recently being brought to the big screen in Marion Cotillard's La Vie en Rose (2007), Edith Piaf is as relevant now as she was in her '40s and '50s heyday. Mention the singer's name and images of the artist's dramatic on-stage gestures and hauntingly beautiful vocals are immediately recalled.
This week, on February 14 and 15 at Dubai Opera, Piaf's magic will once again be brought to life in the fantastic show PIAF! Le Spectacle. Performed by French vocalists, Anne Carrere and Nathalie Lermitte, who will take one evening each, the musical recounts the rags-to-riches story of Piaf's career through her unforgettable tunes, complemented by a visual tapestry of previously unreleased photographs of her life.
We spoke to both Anne and Nathalie to find out what it takes to inhabit an icon.
Why do you think Piaf's music remains so popular? How and why did you initially become a fan of her work?
Anne: Her songs are stories that are sung. She tells us stories of life, love, joy, disappointment, sadness, and death. Piaf for me is the greatest French singer of all time and her voice and songs travel through the centuries. She was charismatic, had a strong sense of love and was a fragile and sensitive human being. She was a woman full of courage who loved life and people. She loved sharing her emotions through her songs.
Nathalie: Piaf's songs were written to reach as many people as possible by definition. Edith Piaf had the undeniable talent to know which composer to turn to, and which author to whom she could confide in order to obtain the songs closest to her and her audience. These tunes are also a quintessence of truth and the truth never dies. She really touched me at the age of four with her songs.
What is it like portraying her live on stage? Is it different to other types of performing where the subject may be fictional, for example?
Anne: It is exhilarating to interpret such a role, because it is powerful and full of emotions. It's different from the fictional roles where you are free to live the songs as you wish. In Piaf's songs, the way I perform is my way of interpreting songs, but you have to respect certain codes to keep them authentic.
Nathalie: Singing Piaf for me requires only one thing: sincerity. I put my joy, hopes and sorrows at the service of her work. It is the same when I build a fictional character. You have to give them life with your own life.
What research did you have to complete to portray her style?
Anne: I have listened to the songs of Piaf and watched videos found on the Internet and in the archives. This includes the film: La Vie en Rose. But it was my meeting with Germaine Ricord who, being a friend of Piaf, gave me the best advice. She said to me: "You are not Piaf, nobody will ever be her, she is unique! But if you sing with your soul and your heart, you will touch the hearts of people just like she did." So I think about this phrase every time I go on stage and try to interact with my voice and my emotions.
Nathalie: When I was given this role I think I read everything that is possible to read about Edith Piaf! I also had the chance to share many things with her family, Charles Dumont, Georges Moustaki, Charles Aznavour and many others. They have given me so much. I just have to give it back.
Between the two of you, have you learnt from each other as performers? How would you say your performances are different from each other?
Anne: I do not know Nathalie well. I believe she is rich in experiences and I'm sure we'll have a lot to share and learn from each other. We are different and we do not have the same voice. Each one of us has her own personality and it is thanks to that, we are different on stage.
Nathalie: Well, I'm a blonde and Anne is a brunette!
How does it feel to be coming to Dubai and performing at Dubai Opera? Do you think Piaf would have enjoyed it?
Anne: Each new room brings new excitement. I cannot wait to discover how the public will react and can't wait to make them travel through time and space to France for two hours. I think that Piaf would have loved it.
Nathalie: I came to Dubai to sing Piaf a few years ago. I am happy to come back! Edith Piaf would of course be happy to go there but she has already been there since the beginning, with her iconic songs!
The show falls on Valentine's Day, do you think attending would make the ideal date?
Anne: Yes, because Piaf was a great lover of life, people, and her audiences.
Nathalie: Of course! Edith is a strong symbol of love. She lived only by and for it. She searched for love all her life!
What has been your best memory so far performing this show?
Anne: I've been playing Piaf in Piaf! Le Spectacle around the world for four years now. I've travelled with my musician friends from many countries, but I think the most exciting place I played was Brazil because the reaction of the audience was incredible. To applaud you, they get up, they scream, they stomp their feet for a long time and it's a real reward for an artist.
Nathalie: Every evening is the most beautiful memory. I sing every time as if I am doing it for the last time.
PIAF! Le Spectacle is on at Dubai Opera on both Thursday and Friday night. Tickets start from Dhs200.
david@khaleejtimes.com