Belgian opera singer Jodie Devos died in Paris on Sunday 16 June, aged 35, following a battle with breast cancer. Known for her international reputation, her death was announced by RTBF and confirmed by H24 MEDIA

The artistic agency Intermezzo expressed its deep sadness on Facebook: “It is with infinite sadness that we announce the death of our artist Jodie Devos. An exceptional personality, luminous and loved by all, her sudden departure leaves a huge void in the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to know her. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

Born on 10 October 1988 in Libramont, Belgium, Jodie Devos began singing in choirs at the age of 5. She continued her musical training at the Institut de Musique de Pédagogie in Namur and at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

In 2014, she experienced a decisive turning point in her career when she won second prize in the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium. “In June 2014, the Competition was an essential trigger,” she told La Libre in 2018. “That second prize gave me credibility with theatre directors.”

Her career then took her to Paris, where she joined the Académie de l’Opéra-Comique. There she appeared in La Chauve-Souris and Les Mousquetaires au couvent, as well as classical operas such as The Barber of Seville, Orpheus in the Underworld, The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute. Her career has taken her to India, Brazil, Germany and Poland.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jodie Devos decided to slow down the pace of her work. “I realised that for six years, I hadn’t stopped for a single second and that I was starting to get a bit saturated,” she told Le Soir. “The covid break was good for me in that respect. It allowed me to take a break and tell myself that five productions in a year is already very good!

She is due to sing in Antonio Vivaldi’s opera L’Olimpiade at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris from 20 June, and to perform at the Gaumes de Jazz and Festivals de Wallonie this summer.