French musicians mourn tragic fall of a climbing champion, 16

French musicians are offering condolences to Anne Douday, violinist of the Altair Quartet and Les Musiciens de Louvre, over the loss of her daughter, Luce Douady, in a climbing accident.

An athlete of Olympic potential, Luce, 16, is reported to have fallen 150 metres after losing her footing on a slope in the Isère. Her death has been extensively reported in sports media around the world.

The cellist Denis Jeannet writes:

Luce, quand tu es née, nous étions en répétition générale et le chef d’orchestre nous a annoncé que ta maman ne pourrait pas y participer car elle venait de donner naissance à une petite « loutché », prononcé à l’italienne, autrement dit « lumière ».
Tu as perdu la vie ce dimanche en glissant sur un sentier d’approche tellement plus facile que les exploits accomplis en compétitions.
Tu es une étoile filante, ta lumière restera dans l’imaginaire des passionnés d’escalade. Et la tristesse nous étreint.
Mes pensées émues à Anne, notre amie et collègue du Quatuor Altaïr, à sa famille et ses proches.

Luce, when you were born, we were in rehearsal and the conductor told us that your Mum couldn’t participate because she had just given birth to a little ” loutché “, which means ” light “.
You lost your life this Sunday by slipping down a trail so much easier than your achievements in competitions.
You are a shooting star, your light will remain in the imagination of climbing enthusiasts. And sadness grips us.
My thoughts are with Anne, our friend and colleague of the Altaïr Quartet, to her family and loved ones.