Barbara Hannigan

Barbara Hannigan
CM
Barbara Hannigan, 2024
Born8 May 1971 (1971-05-08) (age 53)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Occupations
Years active1988–present
Websitebarbarahannigan.com

Barbara Hannigan CM (born 8 May 1971)[1] is a Canadian soprano and conductor, known for her performances of contemporary classical music.[2]

Education

Hannigan's initial musical education came from music teachers in her hometown of Waverley, Nova Scotia, in Halifax.[2]

After growing up in Waverley, Hannigan moved to Toronto at the age of 17.[3] She studied music at the University of Toronto, where her teachers included Mary Morrison.[4] She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1993 and a Master of Music degree in 1998.[5] She continued her studies at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Festival, and the Centre d'arts Orford.[citation needed] She also studied for one year at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.[citation needed]

Career

Hannigan is known for her performances of contemporary music. Her advocacy of contemporary music began in her youth, and she sang her first world premiere at the age of 17.[citation needed] As of 2011, she had premiered approximately 75 contemporary compositions.[6] These include Written on Skin by George Benjamin (2017),[7] La plus forte by Gerald Barry (2007)[8] let me tell you by Hans Abrahamsen,[9] Split the Lark (2022), Starcatcher (2022), and several other works by John Zorn.[10] She gave the world premiere of Golfam Khayam’s Je ne suis pas une fable à conter for voice and orchestra in June 2023. [11]

Hannigan is particularly noted for her performances of György Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre (a concert version of a scene from his opera Le Grand Macabre); in 2011 she began to conduct the work in addition to singing the vocal part.[6] Her work in contemporary opera has included singing in the premieres of Louis Andriessen's Writing to Vermeer,[12] Gerald Barry's The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant[13] and The Importance of Being Earnest,[14] Jan van de Putte's Wet Snow, and Kris Defoort's House of the Sleeping Beauties.[15] She has worked with choreographer Sasha Waltz on productions of Toshio Hosokawa's Matsukaze and Pascal Dusapin's Passion.[16] Hannigan received critical acclaim for her performance in Alban Berg's Lulu, which included dancing en pointe.[17] In 2014, Hannigan sang the role of Marie in Bernd Alois Zimmermann's opera Die Soldaten at the Bavarian State Opera.[18] For her performance as Marie, she won the 2015 Der Faust (award) in Germany.[19]

Hannigan regularly performs in concert as both soprano and conductor.[20] She has worked with the Berlin Philharmonic,[21] Münchner Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony,[22] Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France,[23] Göteborgs Symfoniker, Prague Philharmonic, Mahler Chamber Orchestra,[24] Avanti! Chamber Orchestra,[25] Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Britten Sinfonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra,[26] and The Cleveland Orchestra. She won the Ovatie 2014 award for her performance as soprano/conductor with her conducting debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with the Ludwig Orchestra,[27] The Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne.

In 2019, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (GSO) named Hannigan its Principal Guest Conductor.[28] In December 2023, the GSO announced that her contract has been extended until the 2027–2028 season.[29] Hannigan first-guest conducted the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2022. In May 2024, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra named her its next chief conductor and artistic director, for a three-year term beginning in 2026.[30][31] She is also the Première Artiste Invitée of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France,[32] Associate Artist of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (starting in the 2024/25 season).[33]

Honors and awards

  • Personalité Musicale de l'Année (Musical Personality of the Year) (Syndicat de la Presse Française – 2012[34]
  • Singer of the Year Opernwelt – 2013[35]
  • Grammy Award – Best Solo Classical Album for Crazy Girl Crazy - 2018 [36]
  • Ehrenpreise, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik – 2018 [37]
  • Rolf Schock Prize in the Musical Arts – 2018 The jury commented: "Hannigan is an extraordinary and innovative performer with a dynamic and intensive approach to the music she performs, often pure virtuoso stage interpretations, in which she often simultaneously assumes both the role of soloist and conductor. Her repertoire covers an impressive field, with great interest in new music. For a number of years she has also run a unique mentoring project, Equilibrium Young Artists, which focuses on young and newly professional musicians around the world."[38]
  • Léonie Sonning Music Prize – 2020.[39]
  • Dresden Musik Festspiele Preis – 2020[40]
  • Officier des Arts et des Lettres – 2022 [41]
  • Grammophon Artist of the Year – 2022 [42]

Memberships

Recordings

DVDs

Personal life

Hannigan was previously married to Dutch theatre director Gijs de Lange [nl].[76][77] Since 2017, she has lived in Paris, France.[78] From 2015 to 2024, she was in a long-term relationship with French actor Mathieu Amalric.

References

  1. ^ "Sagen Sie jetzt nichts, Barbara Hannigan" Archived 14 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Süddeutsche Zeitung, 8 March 2018 (in German)
  2. ^ a b Ivan Hewett (25 September 2011). "Barbara Hannigan: 'You must go all the way'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  3. ^ Roberts, Maria (15 September 2011). "The Spellbinding Ms Hannigan". International Arts Manager. 7 (17): 17, 19. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. ^ "University of Toronto – Faculty of Music – Our People". www.music.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  5. ^ Cynthia Macdonald (Summer 2004). "Barbara Hannigan". UofT Magazine. University of Toronto. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b Shirley Apthorp (23 September 2011). "In the premiere league". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  7. ^ Ashley, Tim (15 January 2017). "Written on Skin review – Hannigan is spellbinding in parable of beauty and violence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  8. ^ Barbara Hannigan (Winter 2007). "Gerald Barry: the performer's perspective" (PDF). Oxford Music Now. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  9. ^ Rebecca Schmid (December 2013). "Soprano of our time: Barbara Hannigan". Gramophone. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Hannigan sings Zorn – Paris (Philharmonie)". Forum Opéra (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Oeuvre: Je ne suis pas une fable à conter". bachtrack.com (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  12. ^ Trochimczyk, Maja, "Writing to Vermeer: A View of a 'Filmic' Opera" (Chapter 12), from The Music of Louis Andriessen (Maja Trochimczyk, editor). Routledge (Taylor & Francis, New York City), p. 259 (ISBN 0-8153-3789-2).
  13. ^ Tom Service (16 September 2005). "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Coliseum, London)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  14. ^ Andrew Clements (27 April 2012). "The Importance of Being Earnest – review (Barbican, London)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  15. ^ Andrew Clements (8 July 2012). "Written on Skin – review (Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  16. ^ Barbara Hannigan. "Creative Moves" (PDF). Opera Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  17. ^ Loomis, George (23 October 2012). "One 'Lulu' Has Little New to Say, While Another Can Do No Wrong". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  18. ^ Die Soldaten Archived 6 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine, performance details, Bavarian State Opera
  19. ^ "Der Faust 2015". Deutscher Bühnenverein (in German). Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  20. ^ James R. Oestreich (19 August 2014). "Barbara Hannigan Sings and Conducts at the Lucerne Festival". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Andris Nelsons and Barbara Hannigan". digital Concert Hall. 21 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  22. ^ Trish Crawford (5 October 2015). "Barbara Hannigan to sing while conducting in TSO gig". The Star. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  23. ^ "Barbara Hannigan à la tête de l'Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France". France Musique (in French). 26 October 2017. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  24. ^ Sarah Batschelet (18 August 2014). "Barbara Hannigan: What the Hell is Going On? – review (Lucerne Festival)". bachtrack.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  25. ^ Robert Everett-Green (27 February 2015). "Soprano Barbara Hannigan and a career built on fearless performances". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  26. ^ Tom Service (14 March 2013). "Hannigan: 'Where's the crazy stuff?'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  27. ^ "LUDWIG wint De Ovatie 2014". Concertgebouw. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Barbara Hannigan". Göteborgs Symfoniker. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Press". Göteborgs Symfoniker (in Swedish). Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Barbara Hannigan ráðin aðalhljómsveitarstjóri og listrænn stjórnandi Sinfóníuhljómsveitar Íslands" (Press release). Iceland Symphony Orchestra. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  31. ^ Hernández, Javier C. (15 May 2024). "Barbara Hannigan, Daring Singer and Maestro, to Lead Iceland Symphony". The New York Times. Vol. 173, no. 60158. p. C6. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  32. ^ Lopez, Louis-Valentin (4 April 2022). "Barbara Hannigan nommée "Première artiste invitée" de l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France". France Musique (in French). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Barbara Hannigan". Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne – OCL (in French). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Barbara Hannigan survole les prix de la critique". Diapason Mag. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  35. ^ Merschmeier, Michael; Theaterverlag, Der (17 January 2017). "Artikel "Kritikerumfragen Opernwelt"". Der Theaterverlag (in German). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Barbara Hannigan | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Ehrenpreise 2018: Barbara Hannigan". Schallplattenkritik (in German). Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  38. ^ "A mathematician, a logician, a soloist and an Italian avant-gardist are awarded the Rolf Schock Prizes 2018". The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  39. ^ "Barbara Hannigan awarded the Léonie Sonning music prize 2020". Léonie Sonnings Musikpris. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Barbara Hannigan erhält Preis der Dresdner Musikfestspiele". www.radiodresden.de (in German). 10 March 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Barbara Hannigan | Maison de la radio et de la Musique". Maison de la radio (in French). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Artist of the Year". Gramophone. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Olympians, jurists, researchers among 113 new appointments to Order of Canada". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  44. ^ "Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 150, Number 28: GOVERNMENT HOUSE". Government of Canada. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Governor General Announces 113 New Appointments to the Order of Canada Français". Newswire Canada. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  46. ^ "Ledamöter". Kungl. Musikaliska Akademien (in Swedish). Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  47. ^ Steve Smith (29 June 2008). "Classical Recordings: Of Minimalism, Avant-Garde and Beethoven's Sonatas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  48. ^ Kim Butterweck (24 November 2015). "Abrahamsen wins music award for let me tell you". Grawemeyer Awards. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  49. ^ "Preis für Barbara Hannigan und Das BR-Symphonieorchester". BR Klassik (in German). 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  50. ^ "Palmarès des Diapason d'Or 2016". France Musique (in French). 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  51. ^ "Winnaars Edison Klassiek 2016 Bekend". Edisons (in Dutch). 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  52. ^ Kate Molleson (5 May 2016). "Barbara Hannigan/Satie: Socrate CD review – artful, intimate confessionals". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  53. ^ "Crazy Girl Crazy". Outthere Music.
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  65. ^ "Olivier Messiaen: Lieder (CD) – jpc". www.jpc.de (in German). Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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  67. ^ "Welcome to Tzadik". www.tzadik.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  68. ^ "Barbara Hannigan: Concert and Documentary". Opera News. November 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
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