underventilation (medicine) and Piaf, Edith (sh)

underventilation (medicine)

underventilation -->
hypoventilation

A state in which there is a reduced amount of air entering the pulmonary alveoli.

orig. Edith Giovanna Gassion

born Dec. 19, 1915, Paris, France
died Oct. 11, 1963, Paris

French popular singer and actress.

Her mother, a cafe singer, abandoned her at birth; Piaf became blind at age three as a result of meningitis but recovered her sight four years later. Her father, a circus acrobat, took her along on tours and encouraged her to sing. She sang for years in the streets of Paris until discovered by a cabaret owner who gave her her first nightclub job and suggested she change her name to Piaf, Parisian slang for "sparrow." She was soon singing her chansons (ballads) in the large Music halls of Paris. During World War II she entertained French prisoners of war and aided several in their escapes. She spent the postwar years touring, gaining worldwide fame with her intense performances of songs such as "Non, je ne regrette rien" ("No, I regret nothing"). Her throaty, expressive voice, combined with her fragile appearance and a dramatic tight spotlight on her face and hands, made her concerts memorable.

Sites

Pest Star