On Sunday, June 16, singer Jodie Devos died due to breast cancer in Paris. She was 35.
Devos gave her final public performance in April this year at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris. Her passing has prompted some of the biggest names in opera and classical music to express their sorrow and gratitude for her talent.
Devos' passing was discovered by conductor Dirk Brossé shortly before he led a London Symphony Orchestra concert.
"The evening started with a lot of pain. It was a bolt from the blue. I only learned that she was terminally ill a week ago," he told VRT News. Brossé worked with Devos on several shows in Antwerp in December.
Brossé described her as a gigantic talent, a fantastic singer with a crystal-clear voice, a brilliant actress, and a very charming lady to work with. He added that they have lost one of their very greatest Belgian musicians.
Devos excelled in operas by Mozart, Delibes, Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Gluck, Strauss, Offenbach, and Bernstein. Although, her repertoire was not limited to classical works.
Several musicians, orchestras, and opera houses expressed their sympathies on social media. Paris' Opéra Comique commented, "The opera world has lost a star that sparkled and was full of talent." Devos sang there as recently as last winter.
Soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan wrote on social media to honor her fellow vocalist. She said that Devos was a beautiful artist, vibrant and radiant in sound and presence.
Furthermore, Katelijne Boon of the VRT's classical music and arts station Klara also paid tribute to the singer by saying, "A unique, roguish woman. So much talent, charm, mastery... Jodie Devos was destined for the biggest stages. She leaves us with immense sadness."
