Barbara - von Paris nach Göttingen - Chansons und Lesung
Catherine Le Ray „Barbara - von Paris nach Göttingen"
Chanson reading based on the autobiography and repertoire of Barbara, accompanied by accordion world champion Frédéric Langlais
"From Paris to Göttingen" is the touching biography of the French singer Barbara (born Monique Cerf, 1930-1997).
A musical journey from Paris through Brussels to Göttingen, featuring Barbara's own chansons and songs sung by her (including Piaf, Brel, Moustaki) from the second half of the 20th century. Directed by Catherine Le Ray, based on Barbara's extraordinary autobiography.
Due to her childhood experiences, Barbara did not want to come to Germany; during World War II, she was 10 years old and had to witness her Jewish family repeatedly fleeing from the French Gestapo. Barbara is largely unknown in Germany, although she is regarded in France as a cult singer on par with Piaf and Gréco.
Barbara is especially revered in Göttingen for her homage to the city. In 1964, Barbara wrote the song "Göttingen" for reconciliation between France and Germany, for which she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 1988. Like Barbara back then, Catherine Le Ray interprets some chansons in German, brilliantly translated by Walter Brandin in 1967.
Catherine Le Ray spent her childhood in an artist family at the foot of the Moulin Rouge and her youth in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Catherine Le Ray has performed several times at the "L’ Ecluse" in Paris, as mentioned in the book, where Barbara's career began, and at the theater in Göttingen cited in the book, accompanied by musicians of Barbara.
Frédéric Langlais (accordion, saxophone, bandoneon) became the youngest accordion world champion in 1994 at just 16 years old. For his work, he has received numerous awards, including the Prix Sacem (1993) and the Prix Francis Baxter (2002).
“Coquettish, melancholic, and very intense, Le Ray sang the most beautiful songs by Barbara and gave insight into the tumultuous life of the chanteuse... and it was almost as if one could see Barbara sitting in that summer of 1964 in the garden on Geismarlandstraße, working on her chanson 'Göttingen'” (Göttinger Tageblatt)
“Frédéric Langlais, world champion in accordion playing, accompanied Catherine Le Ray with great sensitivity and virtuosity; his accordion was more than just an accompanying instrument: Sometimes it felt as if singer and musician were engaged in an intimate dialogue that deeply moved the audience” (Augsburger Allgemeine)
“With the chanson 'Les Feuilles Mortes' ('Autumn Leaves') by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma, Frédéric Langlais conjured a fantastic jazz solo on his button accordion” (Allgäuer Zeitung)
Doors open: 18:30 Uhr
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