Claude Debussy’s La fille aux cheveux de lin appears here in a refined and intimate reading by Julie Roset and pianist Susan Manoff, captured in a video that highlights the delicacy and expressive restraint at the heart of this miniature. Originally written for piano and later adapted into a song, Debussy’s piece unfolds with an almost suspended lyricism, shaped here with careful attention to colour, line, and text.
Roset, one of the most closely watched young French sopranos of her generation, brings a clear, flexible voice and an understated sense of character to the performance. Rather than projecting overt drama, she opts for nuance and transparency, allowing the melodic contour to emerge naturally. Manoff’s piano part provides a finely balanced counterpart, supporting the vocal line with subtle shading and rhythmic poise.
The video also offers a window into M’a dit Amour, Roset’s debut recital album with Alpha Classics, released in January 2026. The programme brings together French mélodies by Debussy and Poulenc alongside lesser-known composers such as Isabelle Aboulker, Mel Bonis, and Louis Beydts, tracing a personal and stylistically varied path through the repertoire. The album has already received notable critical recognition, including a Gramophone Editor’s Choice and a TTTT rating from Télérama.
More information about the album, including streaming and download options, can be found here:
M’a dit Amour (Alpha Classics)Subscribe to our newsletter