EDUCATION

FRANCE, LYON

Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon

I’ve known Christophe Talmont for many years, during which time I’ve been able to fully appreciate his great qualities, both human and artistic, and his commitment to musicians, whether young or old, professional or otherwise, always putting himself exclusively at the service of the music. This was particularly true when I asked him several years in a row to come and work with my students at the CNSMD in Lyon. Christophe has always shown himself to be a first-rate teacher, attentive to the problems of each individual and, above all, able to provide the best and most appropriate solutions. His remarkable sense of phrasing, sound and musicality has always benefited them, and some of them are now able to put his teaching and advice to good use at the opera houses in Lyon and Cologne.

Michel Tranchant
Pianist-Choirmaster and Conductor
Honorary Professor of Piano Accompaniment

VENEZUELA, MERIDA

Los Andes University, Art Faculty

The city of Merida experienced a “before and after” effect thanks to the presence of Maestro Christophe Talmont. However, those most touched by his presence were the candidates for the Bachelor Degree in Music of the Faculty of Arts of the ULA. His workshops as well as his teachings in the Orchestral Conducting Department were characterized by the seriousness with which he approached the discipline as such. There was clear evidence that a profound artistic sense was being developed within each student. Maestro Talmont rigorously and methodically prepared and presented each composition while, in parallel fashion, raising awareness to the great differences that existed between all of them, both in style and sound. All of us, who had the privilege of attending his concerts and classes were transformed by this marvelous aesthetic experience that cannot be reduced to simple words.

Dr. Jorge Torres
Dean of the Liberal Arts

PANAMÁ

Ministry of Culture Panamá PNUD

During my years as Director of Lyric Singing for El Sistema in Venezuela (1999-2017) we had the privilege of having Maestro Christophe Talmont conducting our orchestras and choirs in many concerts and giving them unforgettable masterclasses in interpretation, style and singing.

Maestro Talmont is what can be considered a true teacher. We all know that the main requirement of a teacher is the gift of communication and over the years I have seen how the children have grown artistically under his creative force. Maestro Talmont not only possesses an impressive knowledge of the vocal/choral repertoire and its respective styles, but he also has a profound knowledge of the vocal instrument. This combination of elements, rare in a single conductor, makes him the ideal conductor for a singer!

I also witnessed his enormous human qualities, his deep humility coupled with a fine sense of the psychology of a group. Maestro Talmont possesses an infinite willingness to understand the orchestra, the choir or the pupil in front of him. This marvellous gift is accompanied by a rare human quality, that of being able to communicate with his musicians and singers with great clarity combined with the gentleness and delicacy necessary for each case. What Maestro Talmont seeks is the most effective way to help whoever he has in front of him to understand the music, to interpret it in the best possible way. Teaching is a vocation and Maestro Talmont has it.

Margot Pares-Reyna, Soprano
Director of Singing Department
La RED de Orquestas y Coros de Panamá