Most know him as the friendly French consul-general in Kolkata, always flashing a warm smile. But few are aware that he is also a professional music conductor. A handful of classical music lovers were fortunate to witness French diplomat Didier Talpain conducting the Kolkata Sinfonietta Choir and Orchestra at Victoria Memorial during the French Classical Music Concert Series on December 18, 2023.
Talpain conducted the orchestra with scores by Vivaldi. Sharmisthaa Barrow was the choirmaster and Sandip Halder was on solo violin.
Didier Talpain during his concert at Victoria Memorial
Talpain debuted at 18 and mastered the podium at major institutions in Paris. Renowned for historically informed performances spanning 1760–1830, he excels in French opera and Bach's lineage. His recorded albums, including one of Hummel’s piano concertos (Hummel: Piano Concertos, Vol. 2 by Alessandro Commellato, Didier Talpain, and Stefano Barneschi), captivate audiences worldwide. Collaborating with top orchestras, he has led acclaimed productions and festivals, notably championing French opera in Bulgaria. Talpain’s musical prowess and dramatic interpretations have also earned him critical acclaim.
The concert at Victoria Memorial Hall was the first one Talpain led in Kolkata. My Kolkata caught up with him for a musical chat after the show.
Edited excerpts from the conversation follow
My Kolkata: A diplomat and a conductor. It must be exciting to do both…
Didier Talpain: My job is to be a diplomat but, at the same time, I am a professional conductor. A long time ago, I studied both, including subjects such as political science, economics and more. In music, I studied the flute first and then learnt conducting. Later, I became the chief conductor of the Czech classical group Ars Chamber Orchestra, and many other orchestras. That is when I decided that this could be a career choice. I was posted in central Europe after some time, so I could commit myself to doing classical French music. I was a little specialised and I conducted many French operas. So, when I came here (to India), I found another music tradition that was quite a discovery. For example, the Symphony Orchestra from Mumbai. Through people, I met others and decided to do this concert.
This would be the second season of the concert?
Last year, we decided to build a season of musical concerts at Victoria Memorial. It is a partnership between Alliance Française, the consulate and Victoria Memorial. Last year, there were five concerts in the courtyard and this year the first concert was opened by a trumpet player from the Paris Opera (a collaboration between Nicolas Chatenet, Jean-Baptiste Arnold and Nadine Jo Crasto). The second concert was the Vivaldi concert (which Talpain conducted) and the next one is in January.
Why Vivaldi?
It’s beautiful music and it makes for easy listening. Vivaldi is not always easy, to say the truth, but globally you can find a few pieces that are not-so-demanding.
How long did it take you to put this performance together?
All the instrumentalists are professionals so they were mostly busy. We did one rehearsal a week for a couple of months. It was different from Europe. There, you do four or five proper rehearsals and then go to the concert. With musicians like Jean-François Heisser (French pianist) you could practise quite rapidly but you have to keep in mind the other musicians.
Being the first gig, you conducted in Kolkata, how were you feeling about it? What was the audience response?
Since it was the second concert of the second season at Victoria Memorial, I wanted to demonstrate quality music. Normally, we have 300 to 450 people coming in and they know we will offer a quality performance. I was okay!
Didier Talpain conducting the Vivaldi concert at Victoria Memorial
Are you first a diplomat or a conductor?
My first passion is to be a diplomat, and then depending on the country I am posted in, I develop my music productivity. When I spent my time in Central Europe, it was easier for me to perform because there were opera houses on almost every corner and it is our musical tradition. I am not really saying anything new with my music — it is a universal language. Of course, the condition is that you have to learn the language.
Could you describe what opera houses are like in France?
Well, there is a difference between France and central Europe. It is our tradition but is even more rooted in central Europe. We have opera houses in France, but not as many. In small cities in Germany, you will have an orchestra but that is not the case in France. In all of France, there might be some 30-odd orchestras, and the same goes for opera houses. People go because of the repertoire or because they like this kind of music. They go for the more famous pieces like Don Giovanni and Mozart. But I am the promoter of lesser-known music. I have done 25 CDs in the course of my years and they are rather unknown operas.
Who are some of the big names you have worked with?
Well, these are big names in classical music and most of them are French. For example, Jean-François Heisser who is a pianist, and Guy Deplus on the clarinet. These people are not as widely known but they are some of the top ten classical musicians. The level of “celebrity” is not the same. You can ask people on the road and no one will know them but they are the top players. Others I have worked with are Michel Dalberto and Clara Wagner on piano, Marielle Nordman on the harp, soprano Iride Martinez and baritone Pierre-Yves Pruvot.
Conducting might look easy but is not. What is your opinion?
As a conductor, you have to build the concert in the rehearsal. During the concert, you have to have control and you must make it lively. Normally, the work has been done during rehearsal and the tough parts have been dealt with. But during the concert, the conductor does most of the work — at least 80 per cent. After rehearsing the concert can be fabulous but it can be the opposite as well. They are human beings playing! If you want to be a conductor, you will find it in you. Maybe I found it in me because I was a classical dancer as a little boy. Sorry, no pictures (laughs).
When do we see you performing next?
I have something special that has not been confirmed yet. It will take place at the Indian Museum. It is not really a concert although there are musicians and it would be a part of the repertoire of the Victoria Memorial concert. But it’s not the star of the evening because the star is a designer.
