Maria Bill Sings Edith Piaf

Chansons.

Edith Piaf, the Sparrow of Paris, is something of a big sister to Maria Bill. As a figure and through her songs, she has stood faithfully by her side for over 30 years, accompanying her in concert halls and on theater stages. Although the Swiss singer and actress places great importance on bringing her own distinct interpretation to the songs, she resembles the French singer in her passion and her tireless dedication to music and the audience.

Dressed in black, with bright red lips and a smoky, emotionally charged voice: “Padam, Padam”—that’s how people know the petite Bill, vibrating with energy as she follows in the footsteps of the Parisian singer. Since she now knows Piaf almost as well as she knows herself, she shares anecdotes and biographical details of a life marked by both soaring highs and deep crises with the audience in a deeply moving way, thereby bringing the famous chansons to life.

Maria Bill’s concerts, featuring her very personal Piaf program, have been a huge hit—and not just since Edith Piaf’s 100th birthday. You can’t quite tell anymore—is it Bill or is it Piaf standing there on stage? And somehow you sense that Piaf is truly there, too, when the story of her life and suffering is told with such passion, heart, and empathy.

Two outstanding musicians accompany Maria Bill throughout the evening: Michael Hornek on piano and Krzysztof Dobrek on accordion.