When does the event take place?

The chanson reading takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 8:15 PM.

Where will Barbara - from Paris to Göttingen be performed?

The event takes place at APEX, Burgstraße 46, 37073 Göttingen.

How much does a ticket cost?

The regular price is 22 euros. Reduced tickets cost 11 euros.

Who musically accompanies Catherine Le Ray?

Catherine Le Ray will be accompanied by Frédéric Langlais on the button accordion.

Which songs will be presented?

Barbara's own chansons as well as songs sung by her, including works by Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Georges Moustaki.

Is the event space accessible?

The upper event space is not accessible. Individuals with disabilities are asked to contact APEX in advance.

Catherine Le Ray live in Göttingen

Name: Catherine Le Ray: Barbara - from Paris to Göttingen
Start: 2026-10-24T20:15:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-24T22:45:00+02:00
Location: APEX

Barbara between Paris and Göttingen: A Chanson Evening Full of Remembrance

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Catherine Le Ray invites you to an intense chanson reading about the life and work of the French singer Barbara at APEX Göttingen. Starting at 8:15 PM, the autobiographical narrative intertwines with French chanson, German translation, and the warm sound of the button accordion by Frédéric Langlais.

A Musical Journey Through Barbara's Life

This evening leads from Paris through Brussels to Göttingen, tracing the stages of an extraordinary artist's biography. At the center is Barbara, born Monique Cerf, who is placed in France on a level with Édith Piaf and Juliette Gréco as a cult singer. Catherine Le Ray interprets Barbara's own chansons as well as songs from her repertoire, including works by Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Georges Moustaki.

Göttingen as a Sound Place of Reconciliation

Barbara's story is particularly closely linked with Göttingen. Her chanson Göttingen, written in 1964, became a significant symbol of Franco-German understanding. For her contribution to reconciliation, Barbara received the Federal Cross of Merit in 1988. In the performance, the chansons are sung in French and in the German translations by Walter Brandin.

Between Reading, Stage Performance, and Chanson

Catherine Le Ray shapes the evening as a combination of reading and concert. Her stage performance draws from Barbara's extraordinary autobiography and from her own closeness to the Parisian chanson scene. Le Ray grew up in an artist family at the foot of the Moulin Rouge and spent her youth in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. She has performed several times at the legendary venue L’Ecluse in Paris, where Barbara's career began.

Frédéric Langlais adds a characteristic French sound color to the concert experience with his button accordion. The accordionist, saxophonist, and bandoneonist was the youngest accordion world champion in 1994 at the age of 16. His playing creates space for quiet melancholy, rhythmic tension, and the immediate audience atmosphere of a chanson evening.

A Tribute with Historical Depth

The production also recalls Barbara's childhood experiences during World War II. As the daughter of a Jewish family, she had to flee repeatedly from the French Gestapo with her relatives. This biographical imprint forms an important background for her art and gives the songs a special emotional intensity.

The press describes Catherine Le Ray's interpretation as flirtatious, melancholic, and very intense. Critics praise her class as a Grand Dame of French chanson and speak of a phenomenal chanson evening with vital Parisian fireworks.

Conclusion: Experience Chanson Live at APEX Göttingen

Barbara - from Paris to Göttingen promises an atmospheric evening between music history, remembrance, and French stage culture. Those who love chanson, literary concert forms, and moving stories will experience an intimate homage to a great singer. Tickets are available at the regular price of 22 euros and at a reduced price of 11 euros.