In 1993, Frederic Pinot, an exceptional set and costume designer, envisioned Annette as "Madeline" in "La Poule Noire". The production took place in Saint-Etienne, France with the city's orchestra, choir and ballet company. The rehearsals were long and demanding, but the teamwork of this company was overwhelming. Opening night was well received by the critics, even though this so-called blues opera was "an opera without the blues".