Raquel Bitton, whom many consider the world's foremost interpreter of the music of Edith Piaf, brings her show Edith Piaf -- Her Story...Her Songs to the Wilshire Theatre for one performance only, Sat. Dec. 11 at 8 PM. Bitton will be backed by a full orchestra led by Bob Holloway.

Jazz singer Bitton has long been drawn to Piaf's music and life, which she has researched intensely. Resembling Piaf in stature and vocal styling, Bitton was born in French Morocco, and grew up singing and speaking six languages. She emigrated as a young teenager to the United States with her family in 1969 and found herself drawn to the music of France's Golden Era of song (1930-1940). Her repertoire includes the songs of Charles Trenet, Jean Sablon and Josephine Baker.

Her most recent album, "Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf: The Golden Album," explores 16 of Piaf's biggest hits. Bitton also co-produced "The Nights of Edith Piaf" for National Public Radio and was a consultant -- and appeared -- on the PBS TV documentary "La Vie en Rose."

This is the first date of a North American tour of this show. The tour will take Bitton to New York's Carnegie Hall, the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, among other places.

The Wilshire Theatre is at 8440 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. For tickets and information call Ticketmaster. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent