The flautist will become the latest Australian to be awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.

Australian flautist Jane Rutter is to be awarded the prestigious medal Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government. The award recognises eminent artists, writers and people who have contributed to the arts in France and around the world.

“It is truly thrilling!” said Rutter, “I have a huge affiliation with France: Paris is my second home. The impact of France culturally and politically on the world is immeasurable, so to be honoured by the French with their extraordinary artistic and democratic history carries enormous value for me.”

^{Australian flautist Jane Rutter, photo © Brendan Read}

Rutter will be decorated by the French Ambassador, His Excellency Christophe Lecourtier, at a concert at the Sydney Opera House in November in which Rutter will perform a programme of French flute music.

Rutter has made a career championing the flute music of France. Her film An Australian in Paris is a reminiscence of her student days in Paris as well as homage to the music of that country and her teachers Alain...