Katharine Mehrling sings Piaf

Katharine Mehrling – vocals
Harry Ermer – piano, accordion, harmonica
Andreas Henze – bass

When Katharine Mehrling starts to sing Piaf's chansons, the extent to which Mehrling has internalised Édith Piaf leaves you almost breathless – yet she nevertheless always remains herself. With her distinctive, 'slightly smoky voice with a hint of absinthe' (according to RBB Kultur), she combines Parisian charm with the chutzpah of a Berlin native.

Mehrling lived in Paris for a while and, on the trail of Édith Piaf, immersed herself in the world of chansons during her time there. She portrayed Piaf in three plays at the theatre and has dedicated several recordings to her, most recently the album Piaf au Bar. In the presence of Piaf's last composer Charles Dumont, Katharine Mehrling celebrates the 100th birthday of the French chanson legend with two concerts, accompanied by the Komische Oper Berlin orchestra. Every note she sings reflects her love for Édith Piaf's music.

Together with her accompanists Harry Ermer and Andreas Henze, Katharine Mehrling takes her audience on a journey back in time to Paris in the middle of the last century – to a city full of passion, music and indulgences. It was also during this period that Julia Child, one of the protagonists of the film Julie & Julia, first discovered the Parisian way of life and the secrets of French cuisine for herself.

20:45
Concert, Chestnut Lawn