In 1994, Dessay first performed the role of the Queen of the Night in "The Magic Flute" staged by Robert Carsen at the Aix-en-Provence Festival to critical acclaim. She went on performing the role in productions at the Opéra de Lyon, Salzburg Festival, Opéra Bastille, Vienna State Opera. In October, she made her New York Metropolitan Opera in the role of Fiakermilli. In 1995, she first performed the title role in "Lakmé" at the Opéra-Comique, and debuted at La Scala in "The Tales of Hoffmann". In 1996, she debuted in the role of Ophélie in "Hamlet" opposite Simon Keenlyside at the Grand Théâtre de Genève; the new production by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier revived in 2003 at the Royal Opera, London and the Liceu with her in the same role.