Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan and French pianist Bertrand Chamayou have partnered for a recital tour that will see them perform in Toronto on November 28. It’s the first North American recital tour for Hannigan in seven years.
The acclaimed soprano is known for her dramatic performances, and with mysticism and mysteries as the themes for the program, it’s a chance to hear Hannigan in a showcase of her talents.
The two artists released the album Messiaen on the Alpha Classics label earlier this year, and have toured Europe with the program they’re presenting in Toronto.
The Artists
Barbara Hannigan is a native of Nova Scotia, where she began her musical education. She moved west to pursue her studies at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, followed by a Master of Music degree. She subsequently continued her studies at the Banff Centre, and later at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
After leaving her mark in a high profile performing career, she began to add conducting by leading the orchestra while she sang, including a renowned performance of György Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre in 2011.
Along with her international career as a soloist and performer, today she’s also busy on the podium as a conductor. Her engagements include:
- Principal Guest Conductor of Göteborgs Symfoniker (2019 – present)
- Première Artiste Invitée of Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (2022 – present)
- Associate Artist of London Symphony Orchestra (2022 – present)
- Principal Guest Conductor of Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (starting in 2024/25)
- Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of Iceland Symphony Orchestra (starting in August 2026)
- Reinbert de Leeuw Professor of Music at Royal Academy of Music London (2023 – present)
Pianist Bertrand Chamayou is known as a noted interpreter of French music, and has performed as a soloist on some of the world’s most renowned stages, including Wigmore Hall, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Elbphilharmonie, Berlin Philharmonie and Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and with high profile ensembles like the New York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Staatskapelle Berlin, and many others.
Chamayou has been co-Artistic Director of Festival Ravel since 2021, celebrating the work of the French composer in Basque country.
The Program
The Grammy Award winning Canadian soprano is known for creating interesting and innovative concert programs, and the theme underlying the music of her current recital tour is one of mysticism and meditation.
“This unique recital takes us on a spiritual path, beginning with Messiaen’s youthful and ecstatic songs in praise of heaven and earth, through the deep mysticism of Scriabin, and culminating in the epic virtuosity of John Zorn’s ‘Jumalattaret’, a work drawing its inspiration from Finnish goddesses of the Kalevala. For Bertrand and I, it is truly a “trip” to perform this transcendent music together, and we love bringing our audiences with us on this journey,” she says in a statement.
The program includes:
- Olivier Messiaen: Chants de terre et de ciel
- Alexander Scriabin: Poème-nocturne, op. 61
- Alexander Scriabin: Vers la flamme, op. 72
- John Zorn: Jumalattaret
Olivier Messiaen’s song cycle is a personal mediation on the composer’s joy in faith and family life, including marriage and parenting. Musically, the work incorporates complicated rhythms and lush colours.
In between Hannigan’s performances, Chamayou will perform two solo piano works by Alexander Scriabin, both of which delve into musical expressions of dreamy concepts. Poème-nocturne is evocative of those moments between sleeping and waking, and Vers la flamme puts the nature of fire to music. Scriabin’s deeper mysticism contrasts with Messiaen’s work, written as a young composer, and infused with a youthful spirituality.
The concert closes with the sparkling virtuosity of Zorn’s Jumalattaret. John Zorn’s Jumalattaret was inspired by Finland’s national epic poem, Kalevala. Premiered by Hannigan in 2018, it’s a striking work that requires mastery of technique, and takes its inspiration from the female goddesses of Finnnish mythology.
- Find out more about the recital in Toronto’s Koerner Hall [HERE].
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