Brel - the Rebel in Service

Jacques Brel is a fighter. A seeker. Someone who wants to know and must share what he discovers. He is a humanist who fights for authenticity in people and community. He radically rejects everything else. Even when he fails at it himself.

Singer and actor Grégoire Gros has translated original interviews, texts, and audio recordings of Belgian chansonnier Jacques Brel (1929-1978) into German and created a fascinating and poetic concert evening from them.

Grégoire Gros guides the evening as Jacques Brel in a compelling and moving way. The audience discovers many facets of the famous chansonnier's personality. At the centre are the chansons - the songs that Gros performs together with pianist Nikolai Orloff. They act like mirrors of Brel's personality, which both artists convey impressively.

In the sometimes contemplative, sometimes resolute, sometimes hopeful, but also sometimes resigned chansons and texts, the intense, politically charged life of Jacques Brel comes to expression. A dialogue emerges between Brel's music and his person - including all hopes, struggles, and contradictions.

"Brel - the Rebel in Service" brings what remains of this still-shimmering life to the stage through song and speech - a performance that offers insight into the universe of the great Belgian chansonnier and invites reflection on ourselves.