Harry Connick, Jr. Set for Edith Piaf Tribute at the Beacon Theatre Tonight

Harry Connick, Jr. has joined the star-studded, international lineup of artists performing Edith Piaf songs tonight, September 19 at the Beacon Theatre. The concert marks both the 50th anniversary of Piaf's passing and the American debut of France's premier music festival, Francofolies.

Harry Connick, Jr. is a rarity among artists-one who is extraordinarily celebrated in music, film, television and theater. He has garnered three GRAMMY Awards, two Emmy Awards, two Tony Award nominations, induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and numerous other awards, and has sold over 28 million albums. In addition to being a singular interpreter of songs, he is a distinctive songwriter. His new album, Every Man Should Know, comprises twelve originals for which Connick wrote music, lyrics and arrangements. Columbia Records released the album to critical acclaim on June 11. People called the album "impressive," and The Boston Globe called it a set of "his most thoughtful and personal songs to date" and "an album that every Harry Connick, Jr. fan should own." Reviewing a live performance in July, The Chicago Tribune wrote, "Harry Connick, Jr. achieves a personal best."

Other artists interpreting Piaf's songs tonight, September 19 include Marianne Faithfull, Duffy, Madeleine Peyroux, Patricia Kaas, Angelique Kidjo, Alex Hepburn, Beth Ditto, Olivia Ruiz, Charles Dumont, Camélia Jordana, Jean-Louis Aubert, Zaz, Coeur de Pirate and Nolwenn Leroy. An orchestra of French and American players will back them. Charles Aznavour will preside over the evening.

Tickets, which are selling briskly, are available via Ticketmaster.com, Beacontheatre.com, charge-by-phone at 866-858-0008, and in person at the Beacon Theatre box office (2124 Broadway).

Since its inception in 1985, in the historic French coastal town of La Rochelle, Francofolies has grown to be one of the country's-and indeed, one of Europe's-most popular and acclaimed music festivals. In addition to drawing audiences of approximately 100,000 to concerts spread over five days in La Rochelle, the festival has expanded internationally to include editions in Belgium and Quebec. Morgane, the France-based producer of Francofolies, is co-producing Francofolies New York, the first American iteration of the festival, with The Agency Group and Metropolitan Entertainment.

The concert at the Beacon Theatre, the centerpiece of Francofolies New York, will be filmed for a primetime special on France 2, the major national French TV network.

The festival will also include two private evenings of music, on September 20 and 21 at The Standard, East Village, as part of the hotel's Standard Sounds series.

Photo by Walter McBride

To post a comment, you must register and login.