Or to be more precise, alive in Parramatta and Mittagong, thanks to Miranda Musical Society’s very professionally performed production. Deftly and economically directed by Geraldine Turner, the performers invoke the wide span of themes and emotions Brel managed to write about in his relatively short life – he died in 1978 at the age of 49.
From lost love to family relationships; from old age to military service, Brel’s songs not only pulled on the heart strings but reflected a society that needed to care more and reach out more widely to those around them. They lost none of this in the careful translation into English made by Eric Blau and Mort Schuman – and this collection of his work exemplifies both his skillful composition and his ability to write lyrics that told a story as well.