Topp excited to play Piaf with Toronto Concert Orchestra

Piaf's repertoire was only charted for performance by a symphony orchestra last year.

“I've been (performing Piaf's music) for 20 years,” Topp said. “I have the repertoire in me, and I think that was a selling point. I sound like her, I speak in French. I know the work. So it's just a matter of putting the two together.”

Because Topp was pulled in on short notice, she only gets to rehearse with the symphony once on the day of the performance, something that makes her quite nervous.

But she's nonetheless excited, and hopes this performance — which takes place at Castle Loma, the home of the Toronto Concert Orchestra — will be the start of bigger things for her.

Beyond her music career, Topp is also involved in cinema, and is the executive producer of “Salt Bullets,” a film being shot in Sudbury this year.

“It's just a huge gift,” she said. “I don't know what's happening in my life for the past year. It's been like somebody's driving me towards these things. It's crazy. I feel so lucky and honoured.”