Canada's Barbara Hannigan appointed chief conductor, artistic director of Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Known especially for her performances of avant-garde music, she'll begin her tenure with the ISO in 2026
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has announced Canada's Barbara Hannigan as its next chief conductor and artistic director for an initial period of three seasons, beginning in August 2026.
This is Hannigan's first appointment as chief conductor of an orchestra. During her tenure, she will work with the ISO for a minimum of six subscription weeks per season in addition to touring and recording. As the ISO's artistic director, she will also contribute significantly to the musical programming of the orchestra's concert seasons.
Hannigan, who is also an accomplished soprano, is known especially for her performances of avant-garde music during which she often sings and conducts.
She made her debut with the ISO in 2022, performing Charles Ives's The Unanswered Question, Arnold Schönberg's Verklärte Nacht, Alban Berg's Suite from Lulu, and George Gershwin's Girl Crazy Suite. Their most recent collaboration was in April 2024, when they performed Francis Poulenc's La Voix humaine and Richard Strauss's Metamorphosen.
"The first time she walked onstage to conduct our orchestra, we all felt something exceptional and unique in the air," reflected Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir, the ISO's managing director, in a statement. "We can't wait to work more with such an outstanding artist."
'A matter of creative chemistry and collective timing'
"Always curious, courageous and creative, the players of the ISO are dedicated to working at the highest level," Hannigan said. "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."
Resident orchestra of Reykjavík's renowned Harpa Concert Hall, the ISO is the national orchestra of Iceland.
In addition to this new role, Hannigan will continue her tenure as principal guest conductor with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 2019. She is also associate artist with the London Symphony Orchestra, première artiste invitée with l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France, and will begin as principal guest conductor with l'Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne in the 2024-25 concert season.
Hannigan and pianist Bernard Chamayou will release an all-Olivier Messiaen album on May 24, 2024.