THE SONGBIRD: Belgian soprano Jodie Devos (1988 - 2024) studied at the Institut de Musique in Namur and then attained a Masters degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London (studying with Lillian Watson). She did well in several voice competitions and then joined the Paris Opera-Comique in 2014 appearing as Adele. She made her debut at La Monnaie in Brussels as Queen of the Night in 2018, a role she also sang in Caen, Dijon, Limoges, and Paris. Other roles included Ophelie, Gilda, Philine, Olympia, and Adina. Devos died of cancer on June 16, 2024 at the age of 35.

THE MUSIC: Donizetti is an Italian composer through and through, yet "La fille du régiment" was composed for the Opera-Comique and premiered there in 1840. Donizetti lived in Paris for two years and wrote "Fille" while he was there -- his first opera written to a French text. Despite a weak premiere and some negative reviews, the sentimental comic opera became a world-wide hit and a favorite of star coloratura sopranos. Act One ends with Marie having to leave her adopted rag-tag regiment at which point she sings the heartbreaking farewell, "Il faut partir."

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