Piaf and Brel: The Impossible Concert
A Fringe Encore: Internationally acclaimed vocalist Melanie Gall croons the iconic hits of Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, two of France's most legendary singers. A hit at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Two French musical icons. They performed songs of romance, heartbreak, hope, and love. They enjoyed lives of drama and passion. Gall's concert captures the adventure and inspiration of their lives and music, including hits such as "Amsterdam," "Milord," "La Vie en Rose," and other classics. Sung almost entirely in French.
- Official Site
- Already closed
- Soho Playhouse Main Stage (Soho/Tribeca)
Cast & Creatives (4)
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Reviews (22)
5 Critics' Reviews
"Gall’s enthusiasm for 'keeping the old music alive' is infectious as she contextualizes each number with relevant background information. Her descriptions are exceedingly visual, evoking the historic situations in our mind’s eye...Trained in opera, Gall’s vocal range, power, and control are astonishing, and her emotional expressiveness is affecting...'Piaf and Brel' is a beautiful tribute to its namesake musical icons, presented with mastery and feeling." Full Review
"Despite the bittersweet quality of most of the songs, Gall employs a Panglossian perspective and persists with bright and cheerful enthusiasm. Her vocal tone matches her mood with bright colors and a broad range...It would be even more compelling, then, if the show also included live accompaniment...All told, Gall performs this beautiful songbook with a bel canto vocal style and lovely tone." Full Review
for a previous production "Gall intersperses the songs with engaging anecdotes about her subject’s careers and her own personal experiences…Not surprisingly, Gall generally does better in her treatment of Piaf’s songs than with Brel’s. The exception is with Brel’s ‘Amsterdam’ which she delivered in both English and French. Piaf herself recorded the song; its compelling melancholic tone may have been better suited to her voice." Full Review
for a previous production "In 'Piaf and Brel: The Impossible Concert,' Gall does a fantastic job of capturing the live raw passion of these two legendary singers, showing her own huge personality and flair in the process. She engages her audience well, getting them to sing along to 'Je Ne Regrette Rien' at the end, and creates a wonderful atmosphere throughout. This was a very lively performance from a woman with flair and character. Gall is a born performer, a real star in the making." Full Review
for a previous production "Gall does a great job in giving us a very abbreviated history of their lives and of course singing in style some of their classic songs…Melanie Gall in the short time available to her has a great show…Both Piaf and Brel are singers whom many people may think they know only a few songs from (if any), but once you hear them, you realise that you know so many more than you think…A perfect show for an afternoon away from it all." Full Review
17 Members' Reviews
See it if you love the music of Edith and Jacques. It is done very well!
Don't see it if you don't know their music and don't know French. It's still great to listen to even if you don't understand it, though. :D
See it if you would enjoy listening to a solo performer sing the songs of Piaf and Brel for an hour and tell you a bit about their lives.
Don't see it if you're expecting a Piaf impersonation. You'll be annoyed that most songs are sung in French without English translation.
See it if You love French and Belgian music by Brel and Piaf - interred well and laced with background on both artists.
Don't see it if If you don't like songs in French- are uninterested in the artists or are expecting imitations of the artists either physically or vocally
See it if you enjoy classic music from Piaf and Brel, like a bit of musical history and hear great classic songs
Don't see it if you don't care for French music, don't like one-person shows
See it if you enjoy the music of Piaf and Brel, and don't mind that it's all in French.; you like a bit of history of the performers thrown in.
Don't see it if you dislike French chanteuse.
See it if You love Brel & Piaf & can appreciate a fun, entertaining & well-delivered performance of their music & great stories in an intimate setting
Don't see it if You're French; or Belgian: in spite of best intentions, the idea of an American singing in French may not be compelling.
Also Ms Gall's engaging charm, gorgeous looks & spirit, combined with her s... Read more Read less
See it if you love French cabaret music. The singing is marvelous. And there are some charming stories about Piaf, Brel and the performer.
Don't see it if you expect to see a play. This is a recital with commentary. There is no attempt to inhabit either of the titular characters.
See it if you like-chanson/French music-cabaret style concerts
Don't see it if you want a conventional musical. don't like music in other languages-minimal staging
See it if You enjoy the beautiful music of Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel and would like to see an ambitious lady tackle some of the best
Don't see it if You're not a Piaf/Brel fan
See it if You like musical concerts featuring music of Piaf and Brel.
Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional musical.
See it if you enjoy listening to a biography of 2 amazing artists from days gone by through music.Ms Gall delivers the story passionately & eloquently
Don't see it if you don't enjoy French music, one person shows or a little bit of history.
See it if you enjoy french music you enjoy cabaret style shows
Don't see it if you only like English spoken songs
See it if You love music and would like to listen to some in French.
Don't see it if You don't like Piaf's or Brel's style of music.
See it if you're interested in learning about the lives of Piaf and Brel, interspersed with personal commentary and recital-style singing
Don't see it if you already know all the interesting facts about Piaf and Brel, or if you expect Gall's singing to impersonate/sound like either of them
See it if You like French Chansons, one person shows, great singing.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals, you are in the mood for a plot-driven drama.
See it if enjoy Piaf or Brel - if you like incredibly strong singing. Cabaret style banter with backstories to songs
Don't see it if don't liek 1-man shows, hate singing, opposed to french lyrics.
See it if If you like French style cabaret music. And if want to listen to some charming stories about Brel and Piaf.
Don't see it if If you don't like French music