© Sabine Warner

Since her debut, Sabine Devieilhe has forged a unique path on the international operatic stage . Trained 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. Acclaimed for the purity of her timbre, her musical intelligence, and her theatrical flair, she now graces the stages of Europe's most prestigious venues. Following her success in Paris in Evgeny Titov's production of Donizetti's " Lucia di Lammermoor ," the future looks equally bright: " Queen of the Night " in Aix-en-Provence this summer, " Ariadne auf Naxos " in Munich this autumn, before a tour of the Mass in C with Pygmalion.

« My real name is Elisabeth » by Adèle Yon

“I’ll begin with a book that directly inspired me in creating the character of Lucia in ‘ Lucia del Lammermoor ,’ which I’m currently performing at the Opéra-Comique. That book is ‘ My Real Name Is Elisabeth ’ by ​​Adèle Yon. It deals with a major family affair and how a woman, mistreated by doctors, was considered insane for decades. Her great-granddaughter investigates; it’s a true work of remembrance. This book both moved and outraged me. Adèle Yon’s story 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? That, for me, is the most obvious link to 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 love what I call ‘ off mornings .’ We artists have a rather unique relationship with time: we often go to bed very late. So, when I’ve had enough sleep and the house is slowly waking up, I appreciate these suspended moments. I have two children, so breakfasts drag on between Lego constructions and sometimes lukewarm coffee. We listen to the radio a lot, 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.”