M.Devia studied with J.Magnoni and graduated from the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome. She won the competition "Toti del Monte" in 1973 and debutted in Treviso in the role of Lucia, which will become her signature role. Other important debuts included the Metropolitan Opera in 1979 (Gilda), Teatro Regio di Parma  1980 (Lucia), Teatro Comunale di Bologna 1986 (Elvira in Puritani), Covent Garden 1987 (Kostanze), La Scala 1987 (Giulietta in Capuleti e Montecchi), Lyric Opera of Chicago 1997 (Ilia).