Just in: Barbara Hannigan becomes chief conductor
OrchestrasThe Canadian soprano and conductor has just been appointed Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from August 2026.
She says: ‘Always 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.’
Congratulations to her.
And the brickbats will start on here in one… two… three…
Yup, below, just as you predicted.
Of all the female conductors out there, she has the worst technique, if you can speak of technique at all in her case. A slap in the face for all the others who make an honest effort.
She’s a wonderful musician. If the orchestra likes working with her, technical challenges can be overcome.
Glad to see her talents being put to good use with an orchestra that’s pushing boundaries.
Apparently, the players are not that bothered by bad technique, but feel they need something else from their chief?
Herbert Blomstedt was asked some years ago why he stopped using a baton. (If you’ve seen him conduct in recent years he is hardly the picture of classic conducting technique but he gets magnificent results.) He replied that he came to realize that orchestras need a musician, not a metronome. Barbara Hannigan is a wonderful musician.
Exactly ! Musicianship 1st. As an amateur orchestra musician I wonder how it would be to play under her direction very curious
Yes, but contrary to what Blomstedt says and does she over-conducts.
That’s what they said about Bernstein in the 1960s…. Today he’s a god.
Spot on!!!! Playing under her was absolutely fascinating and inspiring.
I agree. Her musicianship is sincere, but I can’t imagine her conducting most of the repertoire for technical reasons.
Is it all about technique or the ability to lead inspire players to fine performances?
Both. Technique is necessary, especially when the music is very technical. Obviously, the best performances come from musicians who are inspired. Sometimes the music and the camaraderie can do that in spite of the conductor. But it is preferable if the conductor can lead the charge.
@Mike: That depends on the technical level of your orchestra.
You are talking nonsense. I live in Iceland and have heard works she has conducted (and sung!) and the results she gets from our orchestra are amazing! This appointment is wonderful news!
Wonderful thanks for your comment I agree – Huge fan of her Musicianship
I was in the audience of her Mahler 4th, which she conducted and sang. Best performance I’ve ever heard. Hardly over-conducting. I wonder what this generation would say about many hallowed names from the past if they came back to the present.
GDR archair conductors goners bull.
What’s technique got to do with it…just look at her and be inspired. (oh, Fürtwangler’s technique was nought to write home about).
I seem to recall Klaus Tennstedt’s technique wasn’t exactly by the book.
No comparison can be made here. He was a genius. I was lucky to have played for him.
I´ve played for both. Both are great.
Musically, i was never a big fan of Tennstedt….Too slow, self indulgent, ponderous, pathetic….I don´t feel much of a connection to and don´t listen to many orchestra recordings of the past, since my views on much of it have changed greatly over the years. But ,in contrast to Tennstedt and many others, i can and do listen to Kurt Masur far more.Masur´s no nonsense approach, his sincerity,emphasis on structure and lack of self indulgence have stood the test of time far better than the self exhibition of Tennstedt, Bernstein, et al…Same goes for Haitink and Blomstedt..They find the music inside themselves, not themselves in the music…And as a youngster in a student orchestra, i learned a lot from Masur.
I can’t watch her conduct, whatever.
What is more disturbing is the amount of unnecessary and distracting hand ballet that goes on while she sings. I heard her perfectly respectably sung recital last week marred by uncoordinated and random gesturing.
Don’t conduct while you sing!
Das Auge hört mit.
She is a genius, what else is there!
Dann machs halt zu!
Spot on !!!!!!
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Good for her. And what’s really remarkable about the Iceland Symphony is this is a country of about 300,000 people, and while there appear to be a few foreigners on the roster, the vast majority of the players are natives of Iceland. It would be like having the Tulsa Philharmonic comprised almost entirely of people who were born and raised in Tulsa. I’m pretty sure you couldn’t muster a world-class orchestra from that population.
The orchestra is excellent.And they have lots of foreigners. Listen to their recordings, check the facts before you post!
I think you misunderstood my comment or are just too predisposed to pounce. I made clear my high regard for the group (did you not see “world class orchestra in the last sentence?”). And when I looked at the roster I didn’t count but I saw predominantly Icelandic names. OK, on second look a few more foreigners than on first glance but it looks like 25 of 86 are foreigners, so 70% locals. I think that still supports my point.
I truly misunderstood your comment,and i sincerely apologize….
Why not? Are native Tulsans deficient in some way?
I just picked them because their population of 425,000 is comparable to Iceland’s. And I don’t think you could form a world-class orchestra just from people born and raised there.
Of all the world’s orchestras, the Iceland Symphony has been recording the most modern and interesting music. Instead of slogging through the same old standard rep that’s been done more than enough they take on Icelandic composers – many female – and it’s beautiful to hear. Like Anna Thorvaldsdottir. I wish Hannigan all the best – you go girl!
I absolutely agree..And they have a wonderful,spectacular hall(Harpa)
The least-kept-secret about Hannigan is that her insecurity about aging often leads her to act like a bully. While she offers projects to young singers with one hand, she often cuts them down with the other.
Conducting technique aside, the world of classical music would benefit from less ego-appointments.
If she really is talented (and as a singer, she certainly is) let her lead without the flowing hair and clothes and makeup. Do people even listen? Or do they just go to watch her flamboyant antics?
She should conduct without hair and clothes?
the photo looks like she’s having an orgasm on stage.
I’m pretty sure that applies to a lot of conductors, seen from the orchestra perspective!
How does Hannigan compare to her predecessor, Eva Ollikainen?
Congratulations from Canada! Sounds like there is a great chemistry between her and the ISO.
A favorite musical goosebumps moment: she conducts the Mahler 4 (with the LSO?), and turns around and sing effortlessly the fourth movement. Astounding performance.
Absolutely!
Of course all the little armchair conductors are predictably emptying themselves here. Barbara is one of the greatest musicians and talentsi have encountered and worked with….An unbelievable musical mind. And she conveys her musicality fabulously to the orchestra. I played in several concerts with her as conductor,or soloist, or both….Speaking of conducting technique..watch Klemperer ,Furtwängler et al. Amateurish conducting technique..They all did it by talking endlessly in endless rehearsals.The worst concert i ever played(the rehearsals were even worse, since he just went through the score to check if he still could do his show act without score) was under Maazel. good technique, zero musicianship.
Highly professional orchestras don´t need traffic cops. They need someone who inspires them, listen anew, communicate on the highest level …..Barbara has communication skills in spades.
Do you mean Dalia..? I agree. Dalia Stasvska is a force of nature!
This is a step in the right direction. I won’t be happy until fully 50% of all conductors are women or woman-identifying.