Edith Piaf shared her life of hopeful, but heartbreaking romance on the streets of Paris with the world through song. Fifty years after her death, singers have been returning their love for the little sparrow in tribute concerts worldwide.

Classically trained mezzo soprano Joëlle Morris is taking her turn at homage to Piaf. Morris, also from France but now living in Maine, will perform at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Friday.

“In France, they’re doing tributes left and right, and I knew I would want to do something,” said Morris. “I think her music is incredibly raw. It strikes you right at the heart.”

Even though most of Morris’s own work comes from the classical genre, she noted that she also loves singing jazz. Morris plans to infuse her own voice into the Piaf’s music while staying true to the French chanteuse. Accompanying Morris on stage will be Matt Fogg of Portland on the piano, Tom Bucci of the Portland area on bass, and Gary Chapin of Gardiner on the accordion. She also plans to share the stories of Piaf’s life and music during the concert.

Raised in a brothel, Piaf drifted for most of her life on the street and from lover to lover before dying at the age 47. At 17 years, Piaf gave birth to her only child, who died at age 2 from meningitis and neglect. But Piaf managed to rise to international stardom through her recordings and film and all the world recognizes her signature song, “La Vie en Rose.” Born Edith Lamboukis, she was known as the little sparrow, roughly translated from French slang piaf.

“She was this tiny woman who barely weighed 90 pounds,” said Morris. “And out of this little body, came this huge voice with a huge heart. So much of today’s music is ironic and sophisticated, but Edith sang with this incredible openness and vulnerability. It just brings you to a different time.”

Morris maintains her connection to France through music and family. Her French mother and American father met in Germany. Although Morris was born in the U.S., she went to school in France and both her children, ages 3 and 5, were born in France. Fittingly, it was love that brought her to Maine. Her husband, whom she met in college in Denver, wanted to come home to Maine.

Having performed at the Franco Center several times, Morris said she feels comfortable and familiar among the Franco community. She added that she is amazed at how people maintain their connection to the old French songs and language.

Morris recently released a CD of French Christmas carols that she recorded this summer at the Franco Center and is available on her website www.joellemorris.com.

“One of the carols is very popular here and in Quebec, but it’s hardly heard at all in France anymore,” said Morris, referring to “Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle.” The song comes from 16th century Provence. “A lot of people around here use really old words that I don’t know. They’re words that my great-grandmother used.”

Morris, who has performed several times at the Franco Center, wanted to record her CD at the concert hall, once a church, because of its acoustics. Morris and pianist Bridget Convey already had a repertoire prepared.

“They’ve got the best piano (a Steinway), and it would cost a fortune to rent one for a recording,” said Morris. “When I use my classical voice, I really need a good instrument. And the acoustics are just perfect.”

It just happened that Louis Morin, the Franco’s current executive director, asked Morris to sing at the retirement party for Rita Dube, former executive director of the Franco-American Heritage Center.

“Of course, she said yes, but I didn’t have a lot of money to pay her,” said Morin. “So Joelle proposed a trade. She asked if she could use the Franco for a recording some time. I remember clearly listening to her sing Christmas songs on a very hot day in May. The music just reverberated through the entire building.”

Morris had been toying with the idea of a Christmas album for a while, and her husband urged her that the time was right.

“I remembered the rain check from Louis and decided to go ahead,” said Morris. “To be honest, I owe Rita a lot. She gave me a chance to perform my first concert there before she even knew me. The people are always so welcoming there. It’s a rather large space, but at the same time it feels very intimate. I feel like I’m coming home.”

What: Joëlle Morris and the music of Edith Piaf

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22

Where: Franco Center, 46 Cedar St., Lewiston

Tickets: Reserved seating $17 adult / $15 senior; 689-2000 or www.francocenter.org

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