italian mezzo soprano cecilia bartoli is unique in opera.ved numerous accolades for her performances and has millions of admirers — like me. but she is also a music scholar and manager of one of the world's biggest opera festivals. cecilia's got that mystery quality that only very few singers have of complete charisma. when you see her on stage you look at her and it's very hard to look at anyone else because she's got that ability to inspire and thrill just by being on stage, before she even opens her mouth. for nearly 30 years, cecilia has been singing at the salzburg whitsun festival in austria where she is artistic director. as live performances begin again, i talk to her in salzburg via video link in london and ask her what it's like to be back before an audience. i mean, it's fantastic. it really is such a joy because last year we had to cancel the festival and now it is great. we really need that because it was such a difficult time, yes, a tragic time, i have to say. so, happy to be back, yes. now, when you were a young girl you want

people can see the solidarity, the references to bartoli's sculpture and the connection it has betweennd american culture. >> looking ahead to fure projects, i believe we do have - we have to wait two years until we see new work from you a the pace gallery in new york. i wonder if this represents a new chapter for you a what we can expect. >> i have been working on a series of work called the porcelain series. and i am excited that in two years i will be able to show this body of work, which i, think, you know , is my life journey within my dialogue with art is the strongest work i can make it this time. so, it gives me an opportunity to create this body of work, i think really plays with metaphysics, that you can see i touch upon in a series like the equilibrium, just working with reflection in a sculpture like a balln dog, but to bring it to a higher level, complete discourse within the philosophy of the ready-mad and thee dialogue -- >> thank you very much. >> thank you. ♪ >> time now for french connections, are weekly look at the connections in france. today we focus on line which.