Music, motherhood and motivation - Sarah Richmond Q&A
We’re continuing to share insights and stories from DEBUT performers who are joining us for upcoming concerts.
This week DEBUT Horizon Artist Sarah Richmond discusses being a working mum in the music industry, virtual reality performance, and her upcoming Secret Concert with DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse.
“I like to keep it informal, talking and being one-on-one with the audience. ”
“I love how something so simple can be so powerful. With early music things can be so ‘pared back’ and get right to the audience’s heart.” - Sarah Richmond
Sarah Richmond, Mezzo-Soprano and DEBUT Horizon Artist
“I love all that one-on-one engagement with DEBUT, they just take it to the next level”
‘it is a challenge, and it's a beautiful challenge... time is so precious’ - We sat down with Sarah for a video Q&A.
“I’ve had some wonderful experiences with very supportive companies that are aware of me being a single mum”
“...When I was at Teatro Real, I took my ten-year-old son with me, and he enjoyed exploring in the wings!”
Sarah sings ‘Va! Laisse couler mes larmes’ with pianist Keith McAlister.
“Premiering new music is always a special experience”
Q&A with Sarah
How did you first come across DEBUT?
I first met Lizzie (DEBUT founder) when I performed with Random Opera Company — we did Puccini’s Suor Angelica together in lockdown! Oh my god - I just thought, who is she? She’s amazing!
I discovered she’d founded DEBUT, and really liked what they did - the energy and emphasis, it wasn’t your usual classical music vibe.
How does that relate to your own feelings about performing music?
I did a lunchtime recital at the Royal Opera House in September which was more traditional - just myself and a pianist. Everyone was really engaged and there’s definitely a place for that, but I love to talk – even if it’s very brief – so the audience has something to hook on to, it also keeps it informal. I love all that one-on-one engagement with DEBUT, they just take it to the next level. Audience members come up and touch the piano, look ‘under the lid’.
What’s going on for you right now, and what’s up next?
It’s been quite hectic, I often go straight from the plane into rehearsals! I was just a finalist at Teatro Real (The Monserrat Caballe Competition) and have also been working on a recital focusing on the British Isles with Susannah Stranders at the Opera House. Aside from that, lots of auditions. Prior to COVID, it was much quieter, but in the past two years, everyone is getting back to me. I’ve got five auditions coming up across a very broad range of repertoire, it’s kind of crazy.
Any Christmas music on the way?
Loads of Messiahs – I love a good Messiah! I’ve sung them in Monte Carlo, at the National Concert Hall of Dublin and my next ones are in University Concert Hall in Limerick and the Waterfront in Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra.
…And how about opera?
There’s a few! I’ve got Rosina in the Barber of Seville coming up with Ulster Touring Opera, and after that Ariadne Auf Naxos as The Composer. I love Strauss, I did a recital of his work with Oxford Lieder festival many moons ago, so it’s really great to do one of his operas now - and it’s a Virtual Reality show!
VR? That’s exciting!
It really is – and it’s with an American company. I just came across it online and applied and was offered the role. I was like – really? Me?
Can you tell us about your experience as a working mum?
Honestly, I’ve had some wonderful experiences with very supportive companies that are aware of me being a single mum. In this industry you don’t have regular working hours, so it’s not like an office job.
Whenever you have a job, it pays, and you can pay for someone to help you. But the reality is that I can’t always afford the childcare at this stage in my career. When I was at Teatro Real, I took my ten-year-old son with me, and he enjoyed exploring in the wings!
But when that isn’t possible?
It’s tricky – there’s a lot of juggling. I would appeal to companies to release schedules as soon as they have them – to have a policy that you can take working sessions away, but you can’t suddenly add them on.
That way, you’re not ever given an ‘extra’ shift where you have to scramble to get childcare from somewhere. In any other job, you have notice of what your rota is, and you’re not expected to be available 24/7 like you sometimes are in this industry.
And your son, is he a fan of your music?
Haha. Jamie loves when I am successful at work – and he loves telling people when I’m singing on TV/radio. But he’s not really an opera or classical music fan. He loves dance – he’s the mover, I’m the singer!
What was the experience of recording at Shoreditch Treehouse like?
Honestly, I feel the pressure when recording, so it’s never really fun, but I absolutely loved Lizzie being there. She has this amazing energy, so I was put at ease. I loved that it was different, too. So often in this industry we all do the same things, but Bobby Williams’ hand-held recording style was so different.
Shoreditch Treehouse is a beautiful and quirky venue – very ‘instagram-able’ - is that a word? …It’s great for photos, and selfies!
What are you most excited for in our upcoming Secret Concert?
I’m doing a world premiere! - ‘Constellations’ by Yshani Perinpanayagam. Premiering new music is always a special experience, but in a venue as intimate as Shoreditch Treehouse, the audience are really going to be a part of it.
What excited you about ‘Constellations’?
I worked with Yshani in the summer at Longborough Festival, and we did a piece called Spell Book by Freya Waley-Cohen. It’s great to work on their music again. ‘Constellations’ is a conversation between a daughter and a mother – so it will be very intimate. The soundscape is gorgeous.
DEBUT is breaking down barriers to classical music - and opening the doors to other genres and types of music too. At our regular Secret Concerts at Shoreditch Treehouse and the Brunel Museum, audiences experience music by Elton John and Radiohead, alongside medieval music on historic instruments.
Do you have a genre of music that you haven’t heard in concert before? Tell us about it online or at one of our events!
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experience south of the river at Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft. Join us for our much loved Christmas Celebration (early booking recommended, these concerts sell out fast!)
MUSICIANS
Lizzie Holmes soprano, host & founder
Sam Peña resident pianist & improviser
Kang Yang GuZheng
Eleanor Garside soprano
Meriel Cunningham mezzo soprano
William Diggle tenor
Kieran Rayner baritone