MICHAEL WALSH CLASSICAL MUSIC CORRESPONDENT: She was internationally famous for her song Non, je ne regrette rien (No Regrets). When she sang it, accompanied only by a pianist, Edith’s body language and expression screamed the opposite. Edith Piaf, otherwise known as the Little Sparrow, was constantly embittered by the challenges of life and lost love.

In most respects Edith was a waif; her father was a circus performer, and her mother an alcoholic street singer who cared nothing for her. She was, so she claimed, born on a gendarme’s cape under a street lamp. She followed both her parents’ careers.

Edith, the Parisian Street singer became the most highly-paid star in the world yet died in debt. As a street singer Edith was partnered by her life-long friend Simone Berteaut. She worked for a pimp but she was never a prostitute. To him, Albert, she passed over much of her earnings. When their relationship ended, he tried to shoot her; fortunately, the attempt failed. Not so fortunate, Edith’s tiny daughter, Marcelle died from meningitis when just two years old.

It was a life-changing period: Whilst she was trying her luck at the Champs-Elysées she was approached by Louis Leplée. Handing her a scrap of paper containing his name, address and ten francs he asked her to meet him to audition at his club; Le Gerny’s, Rue Pierre Charron. Louis loved her voice but not her family name, Gassion. After much thought, he changed her name to Piaf, which is Parisian slang for sparrow. She became known as the Little Sparrow.

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Her opening night was for her a terrifying affair. Picture her in her black knitted dress with a casually flung scarf to hide its missing sleeve. Edith sang from the heart, with passion as she breathed raw emotion from each of the unknown song’s sentimental words. At first the audience was cold and indifferent but gradually glasses were lowered a hushed atmosphere descended, the chatter died and heads turned. During her performance the sparrow had turned into a nightingale, the audience was spellbound and she left the stage to riotous applause.

The chanteuse’s popularity led to fame and Paris being Paris she was often found in the company of France’s most illustrious stars when not rubbing shoulders with its most notorious gangsters. All came crashing down when Louis, her mentor, was murdered. Although Edith was not involved it was thought she was in some way implicated. The club closed, her performing contracts dried up; and her friends deserted her. The Little Sparrow was back to where it all began. It wasn’t until 1939 that she recovered her fame.

During the war years (1940-1944), she entertained her country’s German occupiers who loved her. It has been claimed she had more lovers than songs but it was her voice that made her fortune and fame, which is just as it should be. Edith died in 1963 as a consequence of high-living mingling with the low life. Over 100,000 mourners attended her funeral; it brought Paris to a standstill. Regrets? Yes, there are a few.

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