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Soundcheck

Thursday, June 07, 2007
  • Still from the film "La Vie En Rose"
    Still from the film "La Vie En Rose"

    The Passion of Piaf

    The life of Edith Piaf was filled with intense fame and tragedy. Today on Soundcheck, the director of the film "La Vie En Rose" tells why it took 40 years to bring Piaf’s remarkable story to the big screen. Plus: Calle 13, the hottest band in the Carribean hip-hop style known as reggaeton, share tracks from their new album. And, we’ll sample an opera that features names like Sting and Elvis Costello.

La Vie En Rose

Four decades after her death, Edith Piaf remains one of the most renowned singers of all time. She was born into poverty, rose to become the toast of Paris, and then struggled with alcohol and drugs until she died at age 47. We talk with Olivier Dahan, the writer and director of "La Vie En Rose," a new film based on Piaf's life.

"La Vie En Rose" site

Calle 13

Reggaeton sensation Calle 13 join us to talk about their new second record, "Residente o Visitante," which is topping the Latin charts.

Calle 13 web site

Welcome to the Voice

Steve Nieve is best known for being Elvis Costello's pianist and keyboard player. Now, he's collaborating with Muriel Teodori on a one-act opera called "Welcome to the Voice." We talk with Nieve and Teodori about the project, which features some of the most famous voices in the world of opera — and rock.

Steve Nieve web site

The Ill Effects of Urban Noise

Soundcheck

Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.