New York Festival of Song is renowned for its intimate, original ensemble song programs consisting almost exclusively of rarely heard songs of all kinds.

This program celebrates two of the 20th century’s greatest balladeers, the Belgian-born Jacques Brel and Frenchman Charles Trénet.

Brel’s literate, thoughtful and theatrical songs generated a large, devoted following, initially in France and later throughout the world.

Trénet, whose best-known song is “La mer,” wrote nearly a thousand songs in his lifetime and, in an era in which it was exceptional for a singer to write his or her own material, he declined to record any but his own songs.

The program will include some of the most famous pieces by these two artists: Brel’s “Ne me quitte pas” and “Madeleine” and Trénet’s “Que reste-t-il de nos amours” and “La mer,” along with many of their lesser-known treasures.

The New York Festival of Song most recently appeared at the Center in Manning the Canon (2011-2012).