Dudamel’s Paris renews a line of female flutes

Dudamel’s Paris renews a line of female flutes

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

February 05, 2023

The orchestra of Paris Opera National has just selected Iris Daverio of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orhestra as its new first solo flute.

She succeeds Catherine Cantin who won the seat in 1977 when she was barely 20.

For almost half a century, the flute sound at the Paris Opéra has been feminine. How uncommon is that? Iris says: It’s a great honour and responsibility.’

Comments

  • Julien says:

    Actually, there are two flute soloists in Paris Opera. The other one is Frédéric Chatoux since 2000, after Mathieu Dufour from 1996 to 1999 (before Chicago). Raymond Guiot was till 1991.
    And congratulations to Iris Daverio, the level is incredibly high.

  • Jan piet says:

    So actually you are saying that as a male flute player you don’t make a chance winning a position in Paris opera?? So to be feminine it’s fine you want to say…
    Thank you!

    • Peter X says:

      There are many excellent female (solo) flautists in many orchestras….what’s the problem?

      • Jan Piet says:

        Exactly, but then you don’t hear male flutist complain.

        When a man is now winning in a deserving way a position you hear only complains and why it’s not a woman!

        I don’t care male or female but that the quality wins!!

  • NYMike says:

    From Doriot Anthony Dwyer to present-day Elizabeth Rowe, the Boston Symphony’s principal flute chair has been occupied by women since 1952.

    • Axl says:

      Actually before Elizabeth Rowe come to Boston, her predecessor was Jacques Zoon so at least one man was also principal in Boston

  • Anthony Guterwicz says:

    “Feminine flute sound”? What does that even mean?

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