Barbara Hannigan

Barbara Hannigan, born in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1971, is one of the most extraordinary musicians of our time: a world-renowned soprano who is also, increasingly, a celebrated conductor, often doing both at once. As a singer she is the foremost interpreter of contemporary vocal music of her generation, having premiered more than eighty new works and become especially associated with composers such as Ligeti, Boulez, Dutilleux, Hans Abrahamsen and George Benjamin (she created the role of Agnès in his Written on Skin). She later added conducting to her career, making a sensational impact with programmes in which she directs the orchestra and sings simultaneously, and she now holds major podium positions including Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony. Fearless, charismatic and a tireless champion of new music, she is the perfect guiding spirit for this adventurous programme, singing in Laura Bowler’s new work and conducting the Ligeti and Strauss.