IT is almost 50 years since the death of France’s most popular chanteuse, Edith Piaf. Now her music, synonymous with French cabaret of the 1940s and 50s, comes alive once more as Eve Loiseau performs at the Lighthouse Poole on March 2.

Piaf’s life was anything but ordinary, from a dramatic rise as a Paris street urchin to international stardom.

Her life, however, was anything but ‘la vie en rose’. Racked by pain and injury she turned to drugs and alcohol to find comfort and solace, never able to believe she was loved by fans all over the world.

Born in 1915, Piaf started her career as a street singer, aged 14. The word Piaf is an argot colloquialism for ‘sparrow’. Her nickname, given to her by nightclub owner Louis Leplee, was Little Sparrow, in reference to her tiny stature (she was just 4ft 8in tall) and of nervous disposition.

Loiseau’s love for Piaf began at a young age. Coming from a French family of singers, long summer meals were often rounded off with French chansons.

Piaf is unique in style, but Loiseau’s lustrous French tone captures the tragic singer’s spirit and passion in this tribute which includes the songs La Vie En Rose, Sous le Ciel de Paris, Padam Padam, Non Je Ne Regrette Rien and many more.

Since her debut at the Royal Festival Hall in 2002, Loiseau has given recitals in England, New York and France and has featured on Radio 3 and in the BBC production, The Roman Mysteries.

She will be joined on stage by Edward Jay on accordion and Fiona Barrow on violin.