A Meeting with Natalie Dessay

Documentary following a year in the life of French coloratura soprano Natalie Dessay, as she discovers new roles, new partners and new audiences

The crystal clear soprano tones of Natalie Dessay, along with her flowing coloratura and dramatic characterisations, have made her an opera favourite both in her native France and at the New York Met. She says she doesn't like recitals so much, though it certainly didn't show in her recent recital disc Amor, which received rave reviews.

But in 2001 she experienced the singer's worst nightmare: a node was found on one of her vocal cords, needing tricky surgery. She battled her way back, only to develop the same problem with the other vocal cord, and a consequent second operation last December. Luckily for us, the voice seems as good as ever, though as so often with singers it's getting a warmer and more rounded tone with time.

This documentary profiles a remarkable singer, and a remarkable - robust - voice.