Paris Olympia
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Paris Olympia is a music hall at 28, Blvd. des Capucines, Paris, France.

Founded in 1888 by Joseph Oller, the creator of the Moulin Rouge, the Olympia is the oldest music hall in Paris, today easily recognizable by its giant red glowing letters announcing its name. It opened in 1889 as the "Montagnes Russes" but was renamed the Olympia in 1893. The photo is of an 1898 Olympia poster from the "Maitres de l'Affiche" series.

It is the place where Edith Piaf achieved fame and where, just a few months before her death from cancer, she gave one of her most memorable concerts while barely able to stand. Jeff Buckley, long an admirer of Piaf's work, gave what he considered the finest performance of his career there in 1995.

Many aspiring singers in France dream to play the Olympia. Most major international singers, groups, or entertainers perform at the Olympia while in Paris - Gilbert Becaud, Jaques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu, Celine Dion, "Rolling Stones", Luciano Pavarotti, Julio Iglesias and many others.

The original article can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Olympia.
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