Meet Mark Padmore

Mark Padmore (c) Ben Ealovega

Tenor Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia in April 2017 for Easter performances of Bach’s St John Passion. He took some time out from his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions about him.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Billy Budd – BBC Proms 2013 – the walk off stage.

When are you happiest?
In the sea

What is your greatest fear?
I don’t really fear anything

What is your earliest musical memory?
Getting a recorder from Father Christmas – aged 4 

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
My wife – she is always prepared to go an extra mile.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Costume failures are always fun – I still remember a pair of green tights, 2 sizes too small with a ladder up one leg.

What is your most treasured possession?
Teeth and hair

What would your super power be?
Erasing all recordings of Bach’s Passions at will. It would be wonderful to only be able to experience it live.

If you were an animal what would you be?
A dolphin

What is your most unappealing habit?
Occasional smoking

What is your favourite book?
The Gift by Lewis Hyde

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I shed guilt with my Catholicism

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
My wife, daughters and siblings

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I would love to meet Franz Schubert

How do you relax away from the concert platform?
Reading, walking or swimming in the sea

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Perseverance 

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Generosity, kindness and good humour are your best companions