Fabrice Di Falco Receives France’s Highest Cultural Honor

Fabrice di Falco, a Martinican opera singer, is a countertenor soprano similar to the castratos of the Baroque era.

Already appointed Officer of the Legion of Honor in 2017 and then of the National Order of Merit in 2022, he received the insignia of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Ministry of Culture, from the hands of the Minister of Culture, Madame Rachida Dati.
Several dignitaries were present, including Olivier Jacob, Director General of Overseas Territories; Alexandre Neef, Director of the Paris Opera; and singer Thomas Dutronc.

On Monday evening in Paris at the Ministry of Culture, Fabrice Di Falco was made a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters, a moment of great emotion for the singer. « I’m very moved, and I also think of my mother and grandmother who believed in me. I’m happy to be Martinican, proud to be a black man from Martinique who shows that you can be an opera singer, having been awarded the Legion of Honor and now a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. It proves that being a singer is a real profession, » he said.

Fabrice Di Falco received his insignia from the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati

« The distinction of Arts and Letters demonstrates what we do for the Republic in its cultural dimension, and I think that Fabrice, with his talent, his intelligence, his hard work, his energy, is the personality that the Republic wanted to recognize, » said Minister Rachida Dati. « And I saw in Fabrice this notion of transmission that he has and that he connects in the fight against discrimination. »

Many political figures traveled to celebrate him, including former Minister of Overseas Territories Georges Pau-Langevin and Director General of Overseas Territories Olivier Jacob. The cultural world was also well represented, with Guadeloupean mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel, who rose to prominence thanks to the Voix des Outres Territories competition organized by Fabrice Di Falco and subsequently for her performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

« It’s moving to see Fabrice’s work as an opera singer, teacher, and Caribbean person with a vast career path recognized. I feel it was important to pay tribute to him and be there for him, » said Guadeloupean Axelle Saint-Cirel.

By receiving this distinction, Fabrice Di Falco sees his career and dedication recognized by one of France’s highest cultural distinctions.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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VERONIQUE YANG

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