La vie en rose: Kate Tombaugh sings Édith Piaf

Location: Presser Hall
Illinois Wesleyan University
1210 N. Park St., Bloomington, IL 

Show Dates and Times: 
October 11 at 7:30 PM
October 13 at 3:00 PM

For tickets visit: www.prairiefiretheatre.org

From Celine Dion’s rendition of “Hymn of Love” at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, to advertisements and film soundtracks, the music of French singer-songwriter Édith Piaf has captivated pop culture around the world for generations. Regarded as a “touchstone of French culture,” Piaf’s full-throated performances and music are timeless, and her influence knows no bounds. Her music often reflects life’s themes of love, loss, and sorrow, all while tirelessly clinging to an insistence on joy for life, or “joi de vivre.” Piaf collaborated with numerous composers and lyricists to create a rich trove of music. Far from trite, her renditions and the music she embodied were three-dimensional, many times sharing all of the darks, lights, and in-betweens in a matter of minutes. Singer Kate Tombaugh and Pianist Jennifer Quammen McGuire will honor Piaf’s life and legacy through these songs in an intimate and heartfelt setting. They first debuted her songs at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival’s 50th season opening gala. Since 2015, their collaborations have illuminated a great friendship, deep respect for the music and its creators, and a fervent love for life and laughs.