Le Figaro: “A remarkable and deserved success for Mary Saint-Palais” (Chabrier-Une Education Manquée-Theâtre Francais de la Musique)
Opera International: “The end of Act III, with Yniold on his father’s shoulders, is a stunning moment of theatre.” (Debussy-Pelléas et Mélisande-Opéra de Marseille)
Libération: “The soprano Mary Saint-Palais interprets The Dying Woman with disturbing commitment.” (Giraud-Py, Le Vase de Parfums)
L’Opera: “The diction of the accompanying quartet of vocalists, featuring the fresh, clear voice of the soprano Mary Saint-Palais, is perfect.” (Dauvergne-Les Troqueurs, dir: W. Christie)
Diapason: “The magnificent performance of Mary Saint-Palais” ( Campra-Idomeneo – Les Arts Florissants)
The Guardian: “The star, though, turned out be Mary Saint-Palais from France, a captiva Cupid who won all hearts.” (Rameau-Hippolyte et Aricie-London, dir: W.Christie)
Madame Figaro interview by Sophie Carquain:
“I DISTANCE MYSELF WHEN THE MODELS PARALYSE ME”
“I am unhealthily perfectionist! It has made me flee certain roles, as I prefer to back out of a project rather than accept what I consider to be to be an approximation. It doesn’t get better with age, as the more technique you know, the higher you set the bar! When I interpret a role, I’m not happy until I’ve brought my little personal touch to the score. I spend hours and hours alone, looking for the right timbre, the exact voice to make the text mine, note by note. It’s endless work. Occasionally, there are moments of grace, with some roles which just really suit you. Today, I’m exploring contemporary opera, which is less well-known, and lets me distance myself from the models and composers that paralyse me. And I also teach, which is very useful. A student is like a mirror! By working with her or him, I know how to seize the moment when – without being perfect – the work can get across and be presented in front of an audience. When I then come up against what I demand of myself, I recall the difficulties of my student, and the way we managed them, calmly and together. It helps me to get over this search for the infinite …
