Jacques Brel has been called the greatest Belgian of all time and the late singer-songwriter has also been hailed as one of the foremost modern troubadours in the French language.

His powerful songs on love, tragedy and social issues continue to resonate with audiences today and in Singapore, local production company Sing'theatre is putting up the famous off-Broadway revue of his best loved songs, called "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris."

The Asian premiere of the musical revue performed by vocalists George Chan, Emma Yong, Tony McGill and Leigh McDonald, is part of "Encore! The European Season in Singapore," an eight-month-long culture and arts festival by the embassies of European Union countries.

The original show debuted off-Broadway in 1968 at The Village Gate Theater in Greenwich Village and ran for more than four years.

Founder of Sing'theatre, Nathalie Ribette, who is also the producer and artistic director of the Singapore production, decided to put up the production because she wanted to expose Singaporeans to French culture. She also felt that everyone would be able to relate to Brel’s songs which deal with universal subjects like love, ageing, death, and war.

In addition, 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Brel’s death and this would be a good way to celebrate the works and the talent of the musical genius.

A great song writer, Brel always manages to capture intense emotions in his songs and connect with his listeners. Though they were written in the 1960s and 70s, they are timeless, making them highly sought by artistes like Frank Sinatra, Andrea Boccelli and Celine Dion.

“I think Singaporean audiences will be very moved. Personally, I had never heard of Jacques Brel until Nathalie showed me all his songs. I think for a singer or for people just to hear a new song, something that tells you a story that relates to life, is such a gift so I think they will be very excited to hear all the new music. It is very powerful,” said Yong.

While most of the 27 songs are sung in English, Yong will sing in French, and Chan, who also choreographs the show, will interpret a song in Flamish.

"Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" is showing at the DBS Arts Centre until 17 May. Tickets are available at sistic.com.sg.

- CNA