Mark Padmore on the Upcoming 2025 Lyon International Chamber Music Competition

As one of the 2025 jury members, Mark Padmore sat down with us to tell us more!

 

I think that competitions can be enormously helpful in launching a career, but more than that, they provide an opportunity for focussed, hard work in preparing repertoire. This is something that will be useful for all participants.

 

What are you looking for in a winner? 

Different judges will look for different things and hopefully we will discover singers who have a great combination of qualities. Personally, I hope to hear singers who can really communicate a love of song.

 

What are the main qualities a young singer should develop in order to create a sustainable career?

First of all, one needs a strong appetite for hard work. Learning repertoire requires much more than just learning the notes. I would highlight generosity, curiosity, perseverance, imagination and enthusiasm.

 

When you have to collaborate with musicians on a short notice — just like the finalists will need to do with a string quartet — what is your best piece of advice to ensure a smooth collaboration?

Know your repertoire inside out and be prepared to share your understanding. Make sure that the quartet have read the text of the song and can join you in communicating the meaning.

 

How do you prepare yourself when embodying a specific character in a song? 

Words come first. I try to read widely so that I can understand something about where the poem comes from. History is useful to gaincontext for what the poem is saying, but we also have to think about how it can be relevant to today's audience.

 

The candidates will need to perform short pieces from various composers and sing in multiple languages. How do you switch from one world to another in such a short period of time?

We have to develop the skills of an actor. It is more than switching hats — we really have to fully inhabit different personalities.

 

What would be the ideal repertoire for a competition such as this one?

Most importantly, choose repertoire that you love and have a desire to communicate to others. If you choose well-known songs, then don't just imitate another performer, find something new to say. If you choose unknown repertoire, make sure it is interesting and worthwhile and will intrigue the audience.

 

Did you have mentors or decisive moments during your training that propelled your career?

I have been lucky to work with many wonderful colleagues. I have learnt something from every single one. Equally important is going to great concerts, theatre, and film and reading great literature. Inspiration comes from many different sources.

 

What have been some of the highlights of your career?

Bach Passions with the Berlin Philharmonic in the Peter Sellars staging, Billy Budd at Glyndebourne, Death in Venice at Royal Opera House, and Schubert song cycles with Paul Lewis, amongst many others.