Barbara Hannigan became one of our first two Associate Artists in February 2022.
Associate Artists are musicians with distinct influences, qualities and styles. As a supremely gifted singer and conductor, Hannigan has introduced new dimensions to our programming, including gripping interpretations of music from Joseph Haydn to Claude Vivier.
Embodying music with an unparalleled dramatic sensibility, soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan is an artist at the forefront of creation. Over more than three decades, she has forged extraordinary artistic partnerships with the world’s foremost musicians, directors and choreographers, including Bertrand Chamayou, John Zorn, Romeo Castellucci, Sir Simon Rattle, Sasha Waltz, Claus Guth, Kent Nagano, Christoph Marthaler, Katie Mitchell, Vladimir Jurowski, Andris Nelsons, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Kirill Petrenko, Krzysztof Warlikowski and Andreas Kriegenburg. The late conductor and pianist Reinbert de Leeuw has been an extraordinary influence and inspiration on her development as a musician. Hannigan has made many acclaimed recordings, including six discs for Alpha Classics, and two live recordings of works by John Zorn for Tzadik.
Videos
News & Stories
Get to Know: Laura Bowler's The White Book
The composer Laura Bowler will join us on-stage for the UK premiere of The White Book on 4 March, introducing the work in conversation with Flora Willson. Here, Edward Bhesania explores the inspiration behind the music.
Barbara Hannigan: The 2025/26 Season
Barbara Hannigan looks ahead to her concerts with the LSO in the spring of 2026.
Interview with Barbara Hannigan
‘As a singer, I’m also an actor.’ LSO Associate Artist Barbara Hannigan on balancing of singing and conducting, curating programmes and her love of Joseph Haydn.
Concerts
Half Six Fix: Barbara Hannigan
Barbara Hannigan
Wednesday 7 April 2027 • 6.30pm
Barbara Hannigan takes us on a sweeping journey through Ives and Gershwin, highlighting the diversity and invention that abounded as America forged its modern musical voice.
America's Voice
Barbara Hannigan
Thursday 8 April 2027 • 7pm
Trailblazing soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan guides us through the musical landscape of America at a defining point in its history, from concert hall to musical theatre.
Reviews
‘A soaring, swooping soprano solo, which Hannigan delivered from the podium with radiant ease before plunging straight into the Strauss’ ★★★★ The Guardian, Sep 2023
‘Hannigan is a supremely mobile conductor, at times almost dancing, her hands shaping the music like a sculptor who works in sound and silence. … The virtuoso orchestra flourished under this mesmerising conductor.’ ★★★★ Evening Standard, Sep 2023
‘When the London Symphony Orchestra brought in that force of nature Barbara Hannigan as an Associate Artist, the expectation must have been that the Canadian singer and conductor would deliver extraordinary programmes such as this.’ ★★★★★ The Times, Mar 2023
