Photographs | Isabelle Chapuis

Signed copy of Density 21.5 by Edgard Varèse

Edgard Varèse gave this copy of Density 21.5 to my mother, Janine, who was his student in New York in 1948.

Maryse Gauci, Isabelle’s first flute teacher.

In Saint-Amour, Jura, with Celine Gautreau, Michel Debost, Marcel Moyse, and a friend of the Moyse family.

Playing in the Orchestre du Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

Solfège harmony with Mademoiselle Lequien at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where Isabelle also earned a Premier Prix de Solfège.

In Gaston Crunelle’s class at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

In Jean-Pierre Rampal’s class at the Paris Conservatoire.

Chamber music class with oboist Pierre Pierlot at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

With the orchestra at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where Isabelle also earned a Premier Prix d’Orchestre.

Inscribed by Gaston Crunelle to Isabelle Chapuis, with the dedication “avec toute affection” (“with all my affection”).

Inscribed photograph of Jean-Pierre Rampal

Inscribed to Isabelle by Jean-Pierre Rampal: “With all my best wishes and my affection.”

“To the young and talented flutist Isabelle Chapuis, with affectionate remembrance.” — Marcel Moyse, 1970

Marcel Moyse at his music camp in Boswil, Switzerland, where Isabelle met Aurèle Nicolet, Charles Dagnino, James Galway, and many other flutists.

Rehearsing Oiseaux exotiques with Olivier Messiaen and Yvonne Loriod at the piano for the documentary Olivier Messiaen et les Oiseaux.

Performing with harpist Sylvie Beltrando during Mediterranean cruises as a flute and harp duo.

At the Festival Estival de Paris, performing on Le Pont Neuf with conductor Alexandre Myrat and the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris.

Performing.

With Jean-Pierre Rampal.

With Jean-Pierre Rampal in San Francisco.

With Jean-Pierre Rampal and Angela Koregelos; top left, Margaret Cook and Leone Buyse.

Isabelle Chapuis.

With Ransom Wilson.

With Mark Anderson.

With Pierre-Yves Artaud in Paris, 1999.

With Bernard Demottaz.

With William “Wibb” Bennett in Los Altos.

With Michel Debost and Jessica Pierce.

With Robert Stallman.

With Tim Day and Robert Stallman, 2005.

Dutch flutist Jacques Zoon.

With Rufus Olivier.

San José State Flute Studio Flute Choir.

A garden gathering with former SJSU students: Debra Trevaskis, Mark Anderson, Teresa Orozco, Isabelle Chapuis, Karen Stasko Veca, Francesca Cox, Ráyo Furuta, and Elena Yárritu.

With former student, great friend, and flutist Teresa Orozco.

With former student, friend, and flutist Francesca Cox.

With Ai Goldsmith and Ráyo Furuta.

Master class at San José State University with Ráyo Furuta’s students.

Isabelle Chapuis receiving the San José State University President’s Award for Outstanding Professional Attainment from Don Kassing

Receiving the San José State University President’s Award for Outstanding Professional Attainment from Don Kassing, university president at the time.

San José State University award recognizing thirty years of service

San José State University recognition for thirty years of service.

San José State University School of Music and Dance award honoring Isabelle Chapuis Starr’s teaching and service

Presented by the San José State University School of Music and Dance in appreciation of Isabelle Chapuis Starr’s thirty-three years of teaching, musicianship, and devotion to her students.

Letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognizing Isabelle Chapuis as Annie Wu’s most influential teacher

In 2014, U.S. Presidential Scholar Annie Wu selected Isabelle Chapuis as her most influential teacher, earning Isabelle this recognition from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan during the Obama administration.

With Annie Wu.

With Robert Stallman, Ai Goldsmith, and Annie Wu.

With Ráyo Furuta, Robert Stallman, Carol Wincenc, and Ai Goldsmith.

With Ráyo Furuta, Ai Goldsmith, Robert Stallman, and Dmitry Cogan.

In the garden.

With Domino in Half Moon Bay.

Taraf de Akácfa, the Budapest-based ensemble led by Isabelle’s daughter, Lulu.

Taraf de Akácfa in performance.

Taraf de Akácfa.

The California Theatre marquee.

Opera San José at the California Theatre.

California Theatre, home of Opera San José.

Inside the California Theatre.

The Opera San José Orchestra, photographed by Dan Mitchell

My second home and family: the Opera San José Orchestra. Photo by Dan Mitchell.

Opera San José orchestra rehearsal.

Opera San José brass section rehearsal.

In the Opera San José pit during rehearsal.

With the Opera San José cast of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor; Isabelle was called to the stage during bows for her flute duet in the mad scene.

With the soprano from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor

With Sylvia Lee, Opera San José resident principal artist, for the famous mad scene from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, a demanding and intricate duet for soprano and flute.

With friends from the Opera San José woodwind section: Patty Mitchell, Mary Hargrove, Pamela Hackl, Mark Brandenburg, Janet Averett, Debbie Kramer, and Carolyn Lockhart.

In the San José Opera pit with Mary Hargrove and Laurie Seibold.

With Mary Hargrove, flute and piccolo.

With mezzo-soprano and Opera San Jose founder Irene Dalis

With mezzo-soprano and Opera San José founder Irene Dalis.

Irene Dalis as Amneris in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera

Irene Dalis as Amneris in Verdi’s Aida at the Metropolitan Opera.

Irene Dalis, mezzo-soprano and founder of Opera San José

Irene Dalis, one of the great mezzo-sopranos of her generation and the inspiring founder of Opera San José. Born in San José, she remained a beloved presence backstage with the orchestra and cast after her retirement. Merci, dear Irene.

Playing in the Opera San José pit.

Curtain.