Chiara Skerath dressed in Dior with Richard Plaza and Antoine Palloc

There is something magical about discovering a new voice in a very intimate space. Twenty eight year old soprano Chiara Skerath was singing melodies by Poulenc and Reynaldo Hahn, Schubert and Ottorino Respighi at Eléphant Paname, a private house for the arts, on rue Volney in Paris. These evenings for 110 guests are organized  by former tenor Richard Plaza and Sophie de Ségur for a group of opera lovers called Instant Lyrique, presided by Dr Georges Alcaraz. There will be twelve concerts this year.

The 19th century decor of Eléphant Paname is perfect for intimate opera

When you arrive,  you immediately start drinking a glass of champagne witth old and new friends, who are curious to discover new talents. And you find yourself in a 19 th century salon with wood paneling, very near the Madeleine, where Proust’s heroines used to entertain.

Chiara Skerath, photo Gerardo Garciacano

The surprise of this 14th edition, was the quality and the personality of Chiara Skerath’s voice. This Swiss Belgian soprano, who studied at the French National conservatory in la Villette, has kept an incredible spontaneity with her very mature technic. She has highs and lows, she sings in four languages with no accent AND she loves the stage.

Demonstrating her joy to pianist Antoine Palloc, who is a voice coach and gives master classes, she showed all her youthfulness in “My fair lady” (an encore) which contrasted with her depth in Schubert, and her frivolity in Poulenc. Her versatility amazed all members of the chic audience who had trusted Richard Plaza’s taste in young singers. With his experience as a member of the jury of  Operalia, he has acquired a strong sense of voices.

Chiara Skerath’s strong personality showed in every note and every body movement. Dressed by Dior in a simple but glittering black dress, she took over the public with her gracefulness.

French soprano Karine Deshayes just won a Victoire de la musique

The series started eighteen months ago with Karine Deshayes (who just won a Victoire de la Musique) and will sing on December 31 st at Mane-en-Provence for Instant Lyrique which will also be in Crans Montana on August 8 th. As for the Paris evenings, you can still book for Nicolas Courjal on March 21st, and Gabrielle Philiponet on April 26 th.
The concert lasts a little over an hour and is a pure moment of pleasure. (reservations Eléphant Paname 35€)