{"id":104216,"date":"2024-05-15T14:58:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T18:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=104216"},"modified":"2024-05-16T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T12:00:02","slug":"scoop-barbara-hannigan-named-chief-conductor-artistic-director-iceland-symphony-orchestra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/05\/15\/scoop-barbara-hannigan-named-chief-conductor-artistic-director-iceland-symphony-orchestra\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Barbara Hannigan Named As Chief Conductor & Artistic Director Of The Iceland Symphony Orchestra"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Barbara
Barbara Hannigan conducts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Leifur Wilberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has announced the appointment of Barbara Hannigan as their Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. She\u2019ll take up the baton in Reykjav\u00edk officially starting in August 2026, with an initial appointment of three seasons.<\/p>\n

The arrangement will see Hannigan work with the ISO for a minimum of six subscription weeks each season, along with touring and recording. She will have a hand in programming the concerts for each season.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways curious, courageous and creative, the players of the ISO are dedicated to working at the highest level. Their technical excellence co-exists alongside their wonderful imagination. In working with the ISO, I have felt the desire and possibility, for the first time, to consider a position as Chief Conductor. It is a matter of creative chemistry and collective timing that drives us to embark on this new path, together,\u201d Barbara Hannigan<\/strong> comments in a statement.<\/p>\n

\"Barbara
Barbara Hannigan conducts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Leifur Wilberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barbara Hannigan<\/h2>\n

Barbara first conducted the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2022, returning in 2023, and recently in 2024 to perform Poulenc\u2019s La Voix Humaine in a production where she sings, conducts, and interacts with live video.<\/p>\n

The native of Nova Scotia has carved out a unique identity in the classical music world as soprano and conductor \u2014 sometimes, both at the same time. She is a champion of new music, and innovative concepts, having premiered 85 new works, and collaborated with noted composers Gyo\u0308rgy Ligeti, Henri Dutilleux, Gerald Barry, Pierre Boulez, John Zorn, George Benjamin and Hans Abrahamsen.<\/p>\n

L\u00e1ra S\u00f3ley J\u00f3hannsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, Managing Director ISO, comments, \u201cBarbara Hannigan is one of a kind, and we can\u2019t wait to work more with such an outstanding artist, perform the innovative programmes she is renowned for and be a part of her unique expression. The first time she walked on stage to conduct our orchestra, we all felt something exceptional and unique in the air. Experiencing the trust between her and the musicians and how they create and go on an adventure together is extremely inspiring. We are grateful and honored to be the first orchestra to appoint Barbara Hannigan as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. We know that she will significantly influence the orchestra, our audiences and the Icelandic cultural life in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Barbara
Barbara Hannigan conducts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Leifur Wilberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She will continue her relationships with a number of other organizations,<\/p>\n