Among the countless interpretations of Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino – a staple of the flute repertoire – it is rare to encounter a performance that stops you in your tracks. Iris Daverio’s appearance at Salle Gaveau in Paris on November 13, 2024, with the Orchestre Colonne under the direction of Marc Korovitch, did just that. This rendition stood out not only for its exceptional artistry but also for the inclusion of a new cadenza by composer Élise Bertrand.
A rising star of the French flute scene, Iris Daverio is the principal flute of the Opéra national de Paris and a 2025 Talent Adami Classique. Her presence on stage is marked by elegance, poise, and a rare ability to let the music speak – never overstated, never underplayed. Her sound in this performance was luminous, warm, and fluidly expressive, capturing the French charm and lyricism of Chaminade’s writing with apparent ease.
From the first phrases, Daverio demonstrated a nuanced approach to phrasing that felt both deeply considered and refreshingly natural. There was no sense of forced rubato or excessive emotional weight. Instead, her interpretation radiated an inner joy and stylistic clarity that revealed her deep understanding of the repertoire – and her own voice within it.
The highlight, of course, was the strikingly different cadenza. Élise Bertrand’s writing introduced a modern sensibility without disrupting the historical character of the work. Angular gestures and unexpected harmonic shifts hinted at contemporary colors while staying rooted in the flute’s lyrical capacity. Daverio embraced its freedom, weaving it into the surrounding material with such musical intelligence that it felt like a living dialogue between past and present.
It would be difficult to say this cadenza is “better” than the original. Rather, it opens a new interpretive path – a fresh breath for a piece often relegated to competitions and exams. Bertrand’s version, in Daverio’s hands, elevated the Concertino beyond the expected, offering a renewed sense of artistry and exploration.
The performance was guided with elegance and sensitivity by conductor Marc Korovitch, musical director of the Orchestre Colonne since 2022 and chief conductor of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra. Known for his refined musicianship and deep command of both choral and orchestral literature, Korovitch brought clarity and fluid pacing to Chaminade’s score. His leadership supported the soloist with exceptional attentiveness, creating a finely balanced dialogue between orchestra and flute. With a career that spans major European venues and collaborations with conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and Sir Simon Rattle, Korovitch’s presence added depth and cohesion to the performance, enhancing the expressive character of both the original work and the new cadenza by Élise Bertrand.
This performance is a reminder that tradition does not have to be static. With artistry like Iris Daverio’s – and collaborations that invite contemporary voices like Bertrand’s – the core flute repertoire can evolve, breathe, and continue to surprise us.
In addition to her captivating artistry in the Chaminade Concertino, Iris Daverio has rapidly distinguished herself as one of France’s most promising young flutists. Born in 2000, she began playing the flute at age six under the guidance of Lionel Dujour and later studied with Frédéric Chatoux at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris.
In 2019, she gained first-place admission to the prestigious CNSMD of Lyon, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees under Julien Beaudiment, Emmanuelle Réville, and Gilles Cottin. As a principal flutist, she honed her orchestral skills with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester before being appointed first flute of the Opéra national de Paris in January 2023 under Gustavo Dudamel. Alongside her orchestral career, she shines as a soloist and chamber musician across France and abroad, notably earning the prestigious Talents Adami Classique award in 2025 .
With her first album slated for release by Oktav Records in spring 2026 and her role as co-founder of innovative festivals like Daphnis and Cadences Libres, Daverio continues to shape the future of the French flute scene .
