Sabine Devieilhe's favorites: from Adèle Yon to the strawberries of Aix-en-Provence
Awarded for the third time as " opera singer of the year At the Victoires de la Musique awards, Sabine Devieilhe established herself as one of the leading voices of her generation. Between roles, the soprano shares her inspirations.
© Sabine Warner
Since her beginnings, Sabine Devieilhe has forged a unique path on the international opera sceneTrained as a cello before turning to singing, the French soprano has distinguished herself in the Baroque repertoire as well as in the works of Mozart, Rameau, Debussy, and Strauss. Praised for the purity of her timbre, her musical intelligence, and her theatrical flair, she now performs on the greatest European stages. Following her success in Paris in Evgeny Titov's production of " Lucy of Lammermoor "From Donizetti, the sequel promises to be just as brilliant: " Queen of the Night "in Aix-en-Provence this summer, " Ariane in Naxos "in Munich in the autumn, before a tour of the Mass in C with Pygmalion.
« My real name is Elisabeth » by Adèle Yon
“I’m going to start with a book that very directly inspired me in the creation of the character of Lucie, in “ Lucie del Lammermoor ", which I am currently performing at the Opéra-Comique. This book is " My real name is Elisabeth Adèle Yon's book deals with a major family affair and how a woman, mistreated by doctors, was perceived as insane for decades. Her great-granddaughter investigates, and it's a true work of remembrance. This book both moved and outraged me. Adèle Yon's account was a source of inspiration for approaching this romantic opera by Donizetti and revealing its most contemporary and intimate aspects, despite the centuries that separate us from this masterpiece. The portrayal of Lucia is a very powerful character even today. She is oppressed, forced into this arranged marriage by her brother, yet she is the one we hear most throughout the entire opera. And that strikes me as extremely powerful. The question I ask myself is: is the madness perceived by these men, all-powerful doctors, truly the madness this woman deeply feels? This, for me, is the most obvious link with Adèle Yon's book.
Rosalia
“I discovered Rosalía through her latest album, before immersing myself in her entire discography. What touches me about her is her ability to combine the codes of a pop star with a very strong grounding in folklore and traditions. I am fascinated by these artists who seem made to live in the spotlight. When I see her, I am struck by her strength, her integrity, and the way she makes her voice heard without ever denying her early influences. We don't see her shrinking to fit into a mold; we see her growing and making that mold grow with her.”
My favorite places around the Opéra-Comique
“Right now, I’m spending a lot of time in the Opéra-Comique district. I particularly like Rue Sainte-Anne, with its food shops and little restaurants where you can eat noodles, soups, or onigiri. I also like getting lost in the passageways around the theater, especially Passage Choiseul and its antique bookstores. It’s a still somewhat secret side of Paris that I really appreciate. And then there’s Café Jirisan, a Korean coffee shop right behind the Opéra-Comique. I discovered it at the beginning of rehearsals. They have excellent coffee, delicious pastries, and a warm atmosphere. It’s exactly the kind of place you need before going on stage.”
Mornings off
"When I'm not working, I enjoy what I call the ' mornings off “We artists have a rather unique relationship with time: we often go to bed very late. So, when I’ve had my fill of sleep and the house is slowly waking up, I appreciate these suspended moments. I have two children, so breakfasts drag on with Lego building and sometimes lukewarm coffee. We listen to the radio a lot, and there are always books open on the table—art books, children’s literature, picture books. We’re regulars at the local bookstore and the library. Books occupy a huge space in our home.”
The best strawberries from Aix-en-Provence
“Right after the performances of Lucia del Lammermoor, I’ll be heading to Aix-en-Provence for the Festival. Every year I have a little ritual there: the market in Place Richelme. For just a few weeks at the beginning of summer, a strawberry vendor sets up shop in the same spot every time. You have to look carefully to spot him, but it’s worth it: they are, by far, the best strawberries I’ve ever eaten. I enjoy them at every festival.”
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